Feed grain prices in Alberta have come down as producers have rushed to sell downgraded crops. “Last week the phones were blowing up…right now I think we’re seeing some better weather, so everyone’s outside and the phones are probably going to light up again next week,” said Nelson Neumann, grain trader with Agfinity in Stony […] Read more
Livestock — page 4
Dugouts should be checked before freeze-up
Early October’s flirtation with winter could be a good reminder to check farm and ranch dugouts before freeze-up. Dan Benson, agricultural water specialist with Alberta Agriculture, said dugout maintenance depends on whether people depend upon them as a year-round water source or only seasonally. Either way, it’s a good idea to do a fall inspection. […] Read more
Livestock research enters new era in Sask.
CLAVET, Sask. — The University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence is being hailed as a world-class complex of field and science laboratories that is expected to trail blaze innovative research, hands-on learning and teaching, and industry engagement in all aspects of livestock and forage production on the Prairies. The $38 million facility, […] Read more
American beef capitalizes on global drought
Dryness is particularly bad in Europe and Australia, but U.S. production has increased three percent from last year
Global beef exports are strong, but drought throughout many cattle producing countries is taking a toll. The U.S. influence on the global beef trade is strong because of favourable prices and a growing supply, said the beef quarterly report from Rabobank Research. U.S. beef production is up three percent over last year and that has […] Read more
Lapses in vaccination programs can have consequences
Veterinarians and producers must be constantly reviewing vaccination protocols to check for lapses in booster shot administration, missed antigens in vaccines and new or emerging diseases for which vaccines are available. Cattle that are transported into areas where other diseases are more prevalent have often been the cause of outbreaks to such things as redwater […] Read more
Low-stress handling gets attention
The provincial co-ordinator of Saskatchewan VBP says the practice has an important role in animal welfare production
LANGHAM, Sask. — A small herd of freshly weaned calves were a test of low-stress cattle handling techniques. “These cattle were a little flightier, so pressure and release. I put some pressure on them and then released that pressure hoping to draw their movement past me,” Lee Sinclair of Merck Animal Health said Oct. 1 […] Read more
Making the case for fence-line weaning
Research shows calves exposed to fence-line separation gained better in the first 10 weeks than abruptly weaned calves
Weaning is stressful on calves, and multiple studies show those that are abruptly weaned often struggle with respiratory disease and require treatment. Many of these calves have been recently separated from their mothers, handled, processed and shipped to a feedlot where they are exposed to new feed and animals. The 2017 Western Canadian cow-calf survey […] Read more
Livestock show season kicks off in Alberta
The Olds Fall Classic held Thanksgiving weekend in Olds, Alta., is the first major livestock show in Alberta. Each of the champion bull and female winners from each breed are eligible for the Alberta Supreme at Farmfair and the RBC Beef Supreme Challenge at Canadian Western Agribition. In addition, the Lloydminster Agriculture Exhibition Association, Northlands […] Read more
Boosters crucial part of vaccination program
Injection procedures:
The most recent western Canadian cow calf survey found that 95 percent of producers vaccinate their cattle, a slight improvement from the 2014 survey. The most common vaccination is a clostridial seven-, eight- or nine-way product, and the second most common is protection against respiratory disease. However, vaccines often require a booster, said veterinarian Roy […] Read moreFeeder associations hire new CEO
Janice Tranberg is the new president and chief executive officer of the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association and National Cattle Feeders Association as of Nov 1. She is replacing Bryan Walton, who retires in early 2019. Tranberg has been executive director of the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, an assistant deputy minister for the Saskatchewan ministry of […] Read more
