Livestock ManagementU.S. access to the Chinese market will require an identification system that provides traceability to the farm of origin
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Demands from trading partners may force the United States to adopt a full livestock traceability system. “We tried to push the system based on animal disease. The economics of trade will move this system forward,” said Jack Shere, chief veterinary officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health […] Read more
Livestock Management
Trade may force animal traceback system
Alberta ranch memorialized under conservancy deal
There are many in southwestern Alberta who remember the King brothers, Maurice and Harold, who built a ranch north of Lundbreck from nothing but hard work and persistence. Once met, the two men were rarely forgotten. Despite acquiring wealth and some renown, they lived frugally for most of their lives in a cabin without electricity […] Read more
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative tackles predation
Imagine a grizzly bear wandering south from the Yukon into the Alberta Rockies and encountering a mate that made a similarly remarkable journey north from Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This type of encounter is part of the vision of an ambitious wildlife conservation effort in Western Canada and the United States. Called the Yellowstone […] Read more
Cattle group wants voice on climate change policy
OTTAWA — The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is stressing that it wants a voice when climate change policies are discussed to avoid new regulations that may not be practical. “We have to be at the table when they are coming up with these policies,” Bob Lowe, chair of the CCA’s environment committee, said during the association’s […] Read more
Beef exporters cash in on Chinese demand
South America is expected to be the major beneficiary, while Canada eyes increased shipments to the United States
South America is poised to increase its beef exports by 11 percent with more product probably going to China, said Rabobank in its quarterly beef report. China has had a major impact on the world beef trade. The country imported 473,000 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef last year as well as offal products. It […] Read moreMore meat from fewer cows lowers gas output
Scientists have proven that today’s Canadian cattle herd produces less greenhouse gas than it did in 1981. Agriculture Canada research scientist Tim McAllister, an expert in rumen microbiology, feed and nutrition, said the reduction is a result of improved animal performance and better feed, among other factors. He and a research team estimated greenhouse gas […] Read more
Tops in beef sustainability
OTTAWA — Canada is a star on the world stage when it comes to sustainability on the ranch, says Dennis Laycraft, the new chair of the Global Round Table on Sustainable Beef Production. “I am pretty proud of the progress we have made in Canada,” he said at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting last […] Read more
Pride of the Prairies auction results
The annual Pride of the Prairies bull sale in Lloydminster, Sask., last month brought a major proportion of Black Angus animals to town. The 20 Black Angus halter bulls on offer averaged $5,770. As well, six Red Angus bulls sold for an average of $4,883, six Charolais for $4,983, five Simmen-tals for $3,940, two Limousins […] Read more
Hereford takes grand champion at Medicine Hat Bull sale
A family run Hereford operation ruled the day at the March 15-16 Medicine Hat Bull Sale. Little Poplar Grove Herefords of Forestburg, Alta., had the grand champion bull and received the nod in a people’s choice selection for the best string of Hereford bulls. It also had the grand champion bull at the recent Calgary […] Read more
Livestock rules need penalties
OLDS, Alta. — Livestock codes of practice are only lip service unless audits and consequences for bad actions exist, says a California veterinarian. Jennifer Walker, who works for Dean Foods, which supplies dairy products to companies like McDonald’s and Sysco Foods, said the public may be lulled into thinking these codes prescribe common practices, but […] Read more
