Livestock Management
A different strain of bovine tuberculosis has been identified in a British Columbia beef herd under quarantine since last November. Test results of the infected herd identified a strain not seen in Canadian livestock or wildlife, according to Canada’s chief veterinarian, Jaspinder Komal, in a technical briefing Jan. 9. A distinct strain is not necessarily […] Read more
Livestock Management
Feed from China poses major ASF danger
China is the only source of certain amino acids needed for hog rations, and even the packaging can carry the virus
Imported feed ingredients are a major risk factor for entry of African swine fever into Canada. The highly contagious hemorrhagic fever is a major problem in China and other Canadian trading partners. Studies have shown the virus can survive in feed during an ocean crossing to North America. “We import a huge amount of feed […] Read more
Knowing when to treat is crucial when udder edema cases appear
UPDATED: September 26, 2025 – Producers sometimes have trouble recognizing udder edema. It is fluid accumulation within the udder and teats and ahead of the udder as bred cattle (primarily heifers) get close to giving birth. The fluid entrapment can lead to an uncomfortable condition and has the potential to cause mastitis. It could also impair long-term […] Read more
Antibiotic-free poultry present challenges
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The consumer desire for poultry raised without antibiotics is gaining traction but disease challenges are increasing. “There is a big trade-off with the health of the birds,” said veterinarian Mueez Ahmad, head of technical services with Arm and Hammer animal and food production. “Consumers have to understand this is a big […] Read more
Producers track resistant bacteria
It’s been a month and a half since new Health Canada rules began requiring poultry producers to reduce antibiotic use. The new regulations came into effect Dec. 1, but Chicken Farmers of Canada has had an antimicrobial use strategy for five years starting by voluntarily eliminating the use of Category 1 products as a preventive […] Read more
Premium payment changes for price insurance program
Saskatchewan cattle producers who use the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program no longer have to pay the entire premium up front. The federal and provincial agriculture ministers announced this past fall that policyholders could make payments on account until the policy expires, subject to interest. Cattle organizations in the province had asked for this change, […] Read more
Farm sees benefits to converting to open sow housing
RED DEER — Converting a large hog operation from a gestation crate system to loose sow housing was a major undertaking for Mountain Vista Farm but the renovation has been advantageous. Owned by Sunterra Farms, the company decided the time was right to convert the farm built in 1997. Farm manager Duane Molton said the […] Read more
Livestock, forage research funding announced in Sask.
Saskatchewan and Ottawa have announced $5.5 million to fund 34 livestock and forage research projects. Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit announced the funding at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference Jan. 17. The funding is available through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund and the Strategic Field Program. The SFP is designed to demonstrate and evaluate targeted practices […] Read more
Vet issues shock warning on African swine fever risk
BANFF, Alta. — Swine veterinarian Dr. Egan Brockhoff is scared. That’s what he told about 720 hog producers and industry stakeholders at the Banff Pork Seminar Jan. 10. Here’s why: One case of African swine fever in Canada would close international borders for at least six months and probably longer. The illness has similar symptoms […] Read more
Is corporate consolidation condemning farmers to crippling servitude?
Agriculture has undergone an incredible consolidation of the companies that farmers rely upon. The global chemical/seed industry has collapsed into four giants; most meat industries are ruled by two or three packers, who often also play in the genetics, feed, production and management fields; Western Canada is utterly dependant upon two railways; two giant regional […] Read more
