Livestock Management
UPDATED: September 12, 2025 – The first time a calf suckles after birth could be labelled as the most important meal that the calf ever consumes. Adequate colostrum intake is essential to getting a calf off to a good start. Newborn calves are born with virtually no immunity of their own. The cow’s placenta does not […] Read more
Livestock Management
Pork official retires after enjoyable career
OTTAWA — A 30-year-old jade plant sits in the window of Martin Rice’s office at the Canadian Pork Council. It twists and turns and bends its branches in all directions as it reaches for the sun. Rice brought that plant with him when he started at the pork council. It may be symbolic of his […] Read more
Producers recognized for welfare actions
Three diverse approaches to animal welfare were recognized at the Alberta Farm Animal Care association meeting in Olds March 23. The communication award was presented to Ric Henderson of Red Deer County for the development of the province’s first livestock em-ergency handling rescue trailer. Other municipalities have modeled their rescue trailers after this mobile facility, […] Read more
Antibiotic use in poultry, beef may need rethink
RED DEER — Raising animals without the use of antibiotics is a growing trend, but it is not always the best approach for livestock health, says a poultry veterinarian. “The truth is, sometimes we need to treat flocks. Raising birds without antibiotics is not a sustainable industry position,” said Tom Inglis at the recent western […] Read more
LIVESTOCK-CME hog futures finish higher; live cattle flat/weaker
CHICAGO, March 29 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures gained for a second straight day on Tuesday in a quiet session, with help from short-covering and technical buying, traders said. April closed up 0.325 cent per lb to 70.250 cents. May ended 0.575 cent higher at 78.850 cents and June finished up 0.475 […] Read more
Bison study helps assess operations
PONOKA, Alta. — Since 2010, prairie bison producers have contributed information to a benchmarking study to assess their industry. More are invited to join when the project resumes this year. The information is also useful when profiling the business for lenders and people interested in investing in a bison operation. Benchmarking the bison business shows […] Read more
Cattle producers go partially promotant-free
Manitoba farm implants steers, but not heifers in an effort to respond to consumer demands for more natural beef
FISHER BRANCH, Man. — It’s not an absolute rule, but most farm decisions are based on money. Producers will abandon the old way of doing things or adopt a novel technology if it makes the farm more profitable. Betty and Robert Green have decided to break that rule. The Greens raise half of their cattle […] Read more
Researcher gets beef sector award
John McKinnon’s studies into feed efficiency have increased competitiveness of the cattle industry
A desire to stay connected with rural life led John McKinnon to pursue a career in agriculture. It has culminated in internationally respected research and innovation on beef cattle nutrition and management. The researcher, professor and Saskatchewan beef industry research chair at the University of Saskatchewan is well known for advancing the competitiveness and sustainability […] Read moreAlberta ranch gets U.S. beef production stamp of approval
A cattle ranch near Nanton, Alta., recently became one of 15 in Canada to be deemed animal welfare approved by a U.S.-based organization. Trail’s End Beef, operated by Rachel and Tyler Herbert, has also been “certified grass-fed” by the same organization, one of 11 with similar designation in Canada. “For us, especially since we’re going […] Read more
Drop in cattle sales reporting skews price discovery
The rise of contracts and formula pricing has resulted in an information gap that threatens government programs
OTTAWA — Ten percent of Canadian fed cattle were sold for cash last year. That shift in marketing patterns is occurring across North America and is causing an information gap. “For programs such as AgriStability, they need an inventory to do the accrual adjustments. They need a price to value cattle at,” Brian Perillat of […] Read more
