Livestock Management
Alberta’s first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea is so far confined to a single 400-sow farrow-to-finish operation in east-central Alberta. Alberta Pork said yesterday that no pigs have left the affected farm since the virus was confirmed and none will be moved until a veterinarian’s certificate is provided. Tests at high-traffic pig sites in the […] Read more
Livestock Management
Manitoba rethinks vet college commitment
The Manitoba government may cut its funding to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Manitoba now funds 15 new students each year, or 60 for the four year program, to study at the WCVM in Saskatoon. The province has proposed to reduce its seats at the WCVM to 10 new students per year, says Keri […] Read more
Manitoba’s cattle auctions off to a slow start in 2019
WINNIPEG – Only four of Manitoba’s eight major cattle auctions had sales last week. With sales numbers down compared to those before the holiday break. For the week ending Jan. 11, auctions at Brandon, Grunthal, Virden and Winnipeg sold a total of 1,164 cattle, with weather having played a role in the lower numbers. “We […] Read more
Feed tests needed for top nutrition
Getting a feed test done and knowing what they have on the farm will allow producers to balance their rations
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta.— Feed testing is the best way to ensure cows are getting a balanced diet. “Just visually looking at it isn’t going to give you those values of energy and protein. Your eye is not able to determine that,” said animal nutritionist Cornelia O’Keefe of Blue Rock Animal Nutrition in Innisfail, Alta. […] Read more
Genomic testing on its way for bison sector
An Alberta firm says it will provide parentage verification, sub-species composition and the presence of cattle genetics
Edmonton-based Delta Genomics is moving closer to developing genomic testing tools for the Canadian bison industry. Chief executive officer Michelle Miller told the 2018 Canadian Bison Association annual convention that the first two steps of a five-step process are complete, and over the next year the tools should be completed. In the end, she said […] Read more
Research suggests chickens defining animal of our age
Among all domestic animal species, chickens have a special place in the history of human civilizations and on our dinner plates. Chickens were domesticated from wild jungle fowl that lived in the forests of southeastern Asia and spread via trade routes into the Middle East, Europe and Africa. During the establishment of European colonies worldwide, […] Read more
Rotational grazing helps producers boost pasture health
Producers can use a two-litre pop bottle to gauge when they should graze and when they should move cattle off a field
Rotational grazing is the key to building healthy pastures. Producers may adopt intensive systems, mob grazing, adaptive grazing or cell grazing controlled with permanent and temporary fences, said pasture specialist Jack Kyle. A former pasture specialist with the Ontario ministry of agriculture, he now works with Gallagher Power Fencing Systems. “Rest and recovery is the […] Read moreRising bison numbers justify optimism in industry
A Canadian Bison Association survey that was conducted in the first quarter of 2018 shows continued growth in the sector. Executive director Terry Kremeniuk said the association does its own census because the federal census numbers are gathered in June. “That’s probably the lowest point in the year in terms of the number of animals […] Read more
Animal cruelty charges laid in Alberta
Two people are facing numerous animal cruelty charges after Evansburg RCMP launched an investigation into allegations of mistreatment of horses on a rural property. RCMP said in a news release today that Patricia Lynn Moore, 48, and Ross Andrew Atkinson, 50, of Parkland County have been charged after 65 horses and six dogs were removed […] Read more
PED found on Alberta hog farm
Porcine epidemic diarrhea has been confirmed on a 400-head Alberta hog operation. It is the first case of the deadly virus discovered in Alberta, although it has affected hog operations in four other provinces since 2014. Alberta Pork today confirmed the finding and said it is working with Alberta Agriculture to investigate the outbreak and […] Read more
