Livestock Management
Incorporating non-bloat legumes into pasture stands could rejuvenate pastures and lead to better average daily gains, according to a three-year study at the University of Saskatchewan. Bree Kelln undertook the study, planting cicer milkvetch and sainfoin varieties into sites at Lanigan, Sask., and Lethbridge in 2015. She presented Lanigan results at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry […] Read more
Livestock Management
Non-bloat legumes show promise in pastures
Producers embrace corn grazing
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Corn grazing continues to gain popularity in Western Canada but producers are still learning how best to manage the system, says beef researcher Bart Lardner. “It’s a learning curve,” he said after a presentation at Foraging into the Future. “It’s not going to go away. The adoption rate is ramping up […] Read more
Russian agricultural firms raided over suspected tax evasion
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Meat producer Cherkizovo and farming conglomerate Rusagro were among agricultural firms across Russia targeted in a sweeping investigation into suspected tax evasion on Wednesday. The Tax Service said so far five potential breaches had been uncovered in inspections carried out with the Federal Security Service (FSB) at agricultural holdings across 13 regions. […] Read more
Weekly Manitoba Cattle Report: Bad weather strikes again
WINNIPEG – Bad weather continued to adversely affect some of Manitoba’s cattle auctions during the early part of the week ended Feb. 8. Strong winds whipped up snow and drove down temperatures, with wind chills sinking into the minus 40 Celsius range. “I’m just looking forward to spring,” quipped Allan Munroe of the Killarney Auction […] Read more
Remembering the year the cows ran away
The herd got spooked, broke down the gate, disappeared into the bush and didn’t come out for much of the summer
SASKATOON — Almost anyone with cattle works in close proximity to nature and sometimes nature takes an unexpected hand in our livestock business. My father’s experience was no different, especially one particular time when he took cows to the Kettle’s quarter. Dad bought Alex Kettle’s quarter when Kettle retired from farming. He only had the […] Read more
USDA vows to label imitation meat
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association presses the government to ensure cell cultured protein is not called meat
NEW ORLEANS, La. — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has promised that meat substitutes will be regulated and labelled. Cell cultured protein has received a lot of attention, and livestock groups such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are pressing government to ensure it is not called meat. Clear labelling is demanded for plant based […] Read more
Calves from cows fed canola grew more
A two-year study found that beef cows fed a high-fat diet containing canola seed produced heavier calves right from birth to slaughter. John McKinnon, professor emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan, said he was surprised at the results of the study comparing a typical diet with one supplemented by canola and another with flax. “I […] Read more
Early action can help control flies in manure
Manure draws flies. It’s a universal truth. But there are ways to limit the number of flies at feedlots and other livestock operations if the right steps are taken at the right times, says retired Agriculture Canada senior researcher Tim Lysyk. As an entomologist, Lysyk has studied the ecology of flies that affect cattle. Houseflies […] Read more
Researcher aims to help piglets survive transport
BANFF, Alta. — Thousands of piglets each year are weaned, loaded into trucks and taken to nursery facilities. A study led by Dr. Hauwa Bwala, a veterinarian at the University of Saskat-chewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine, seeks to identify risks that could result in piglet mortality. Bwala provided explanations of the study via poster […] Read more
Sask. delays discontinuing loan program
The wind-down of Saskatchewan’s Livestock Loan Guarantee Program has been extended to July 31, 2019. Last August, the province announced it would discontinue the program that guaranteed loans to breeder and feeder associations. Originally, the government said the program would end Dec. 31, 2018, but that was pushed to July after discussions found that more […] Read more
