Livestock Management
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
Livestock Management
Rising bison numbers justify optimism in industry
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
Weekly Manitoba cattle report
Winnipeg – Manitoba’s cattle auction yards remained quiet over the week ended Jan. 4, with activity set to start back up at most locations during the first full week of the month. Live cattle futures in Chicago ended 2018 at some of their highest levels of the past year, but subsequently spent the first days […] Read more
New software could help detect liver fluke
A computer program helps make grazing decisions by predicting the likelihood of conditions conducive to the parasite
Liver fluke, a disease of cattle and sheep, appears to be on the rise in a warmer, wetter climate. The parasite Fasciola hepatica lays eggs that pass into the pasture from the feces of cattle or sheep. Emerging from the egg, the miracidium seeks a mud snail to continue its development to the next stage. […] Read more
Pessimistic calves at disadvantage
Researchers have discovered that some calves are more fearful than others, which can have implications for future health
Some cattle are more fearful than others. It’s a universal truth confirmed by anyone who has handled cattle herds. But fearfulness is connected to pessimism, says University of British Columbia PhD student Benjamin Lecorps. His research on 22 Holstein dairy calves has shown that some animals are inherently more pessimistic than others, and that trait […] Read more
High-quality feed best saved for post-calving
Producers facing feed shortages can feed straw and chaff to weaned animals, mid pregnancy cows and mature bulls
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. — Straw might not be a cow’s first meal choice, but it might be all that is on offer this winter. Cows need to be well fed to make sure they reproduce next year. “With feed shortages using straw and grain rations, what will happen next year if you don’t have […] Read more
Transport code of practice in works
The code will cover cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and equine for road transportation and should be completed by 2023
New regulations and a code of practice for livestock transportation are coming. The scope of the code of practice covers cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and equine for road transportation, said Jackie Wepruk of the National Farm Animal Care Council. “We need to make sure the codes are in line with regulatory expectations. It is very […] Read more
Are your animal handling skills ‘above average?’
It’s a well described phenomenon. If we randomly ask a group of people to rate their driving skills, the majority will rate themselves as above average. Of course, this can’t be true. Some of us are just average drivers and some of us are somewhere below the average. Psychologists describe this cognitive bias as “illusory […] Read more
Sask. to move ahead with plans to update animal health law
Saskatchewan is updating its animal disease legislation and giving more authority to the province’s chief veterinarian. The Animal Health Act, 2018, was introduced late last year and will replace the Diseases of Animals Act, which has been revised only slightly since it was enacted in 1966. Agriculture Minister David Marit told the legislature during second […] Read more
