Livestock Management
Research in swine nutrition and health is a continued focus at the Prairie Swine Centre, said its new chief executive officer. Murray Pettitt, who took over from former CEO Lee Whittington in June, outlined what’s new at the research facility during the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium held in Saskatoon Nov. 14-15. One project is looking […] Read more
Livestock Management
Researchers explore nutrition-animal health link
Sustainable projects require more beef
Buyers who want to source sustainably raised beef have trouble finding enough supply to meet their needs
When it comes to sustainability, McDonald’s might ask, where is the beef? Companies like McDonald’s need millions of pounds of sustainably sourced beef but supplies are limited, said Calgary-area rancher Cherie Copithorne-Barnes. She is past-chair of the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable Beef. “There is a lineup of these retailers and food-service companies that would […] Read moreCFIA begins testing for bovine TB in B.C.
The investigation is expected to spread to Alberta because the British Columbia farm bought cattle from that province
Testing has begun on the herd mates of a British Columbia cow determined to have bovine tuberculosis. The animal came from a ranch in the province’s southern interior with a herd of about 500 animals. Since the case was announced Nov. 19, three more herds in the region have been placed under quarantine as part […] Read more
McDonald’s takes aim at antibiotic use in cattle
This morning, McDonald’s released a new policy on antibiotics that will affect cattle producers in North America, Europe, Brazil and Australia. The fast food chain has set a goal of reducing the use of antibiotics, important to human health, which will affect 85 percent of its beef supply chain. “McDonald’s believes antibiotic resistance is a […] Read more
Holiday slow season nears at MB auctions
As the fall run wraps up at Manitoba auction marts and volumes start to drop, any cattle that aren’t in top form are selling for discounts. “Guys are getting are a little fussier on the quality and the discounts for non-performing type cattle are getting a little steeper,” said Allan Munroe of Killarney Auction Mart. […] Read more
Calves born with intestinal bacteria: study
A diverse amount of bacterial DNA has been found to exist in the calf’s intestine right at the moment of birth
Are newborn calves born without evidence of any bacteria? One might think so, given the assumed sterile nature of its dam’s uterus. But, according to researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, a diverse amount of bacterial DNA has been found to exist in the calf’s intestine right at the moment of birth. “We are […] Read more
Alta. beef checkoff stays refundable
Alberta Beef Producers says changes may be needed to continue to effectively run the organization with lower revenue
Of 1,874 votes cast, 51.3 percent of Alberta beef producers have voted to keep a refundable checkoff. The province-wide plebiscite, in which approximately 18,000 producers were eligible to vote, also saw 48.5 percent vote to make the checkoff non-refundable, while 0.2 percent were spoiled ballots. Preliminary results were announced Dec. 3 at the Alberta Beef […] Read more
Speckle Park gains foothold in Australia
A breed association is starting to gain traction with membership increasing to 300 from 120 in the last year
REGINA — When Greg Ebbeck saw Speckle Park cattle at the Calgary Stampede more than 10 years ago, he decided they would be a good fit for his operation in Australia. Attracted to the carcass results where the cattle consistently achieve high grades in the Canadian system, he and others started to import embryos to […] Read more
Show winners consider themselves cattle producers first
‘We try to raise the cattle first and then let them become show cattle,’ says Rob Adams of Ter-Ron Red Angus
REGINA — The folks at Ter-Ron Red Angus are no strangers to the winner’s circle, but Rob Adams likes to emphasize they are cattle producers first. “We try to raise the cattle first and then let them become show cattle,” he said during Canadian Western Agribition held in Regina Nov. 19-24. The family-run operation at […] Read more
Junior winner credits support from family
REGINA — An intense involvement in cattle breeding and showing has opened up the world for Garrett Liebreich. The winner of the reserve champion at the junior supreme show at Canadian Western Agribition, the 18-year-old is moving into the big time. The show awarded him a $2,000 scholarship for future studies but in the meantime […] Read more
