Livestock Management
Today’s easy calving herds mean we seldom experience problems. However, a full breech birth will almost always require intervention and the assistance of a veterinarian. This is when the calf presents tail first with both back legs pointing forward under its body. A lot of producers refer to a straight backward calf as a breech, […] Read more
Livestock Management
Successful breech births often require expert help
At first triplets, but wait, there’s more
Quadruplet calves are doing well on the Lamport family farm near Alida, Sask. When Calvin Lamport, son Layne and daughter Kayla delivered three calves from a five-year-old Charolais-cross cow on March 4, they were happy with the result. The cow had twins in each of the previous two years, so triplets were considered a bonus. […] Read more
Beef producers await new trade deals
The industry sees promise in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership
OTTAWA — Two monumental trade deals hold promise for Canadian beef producers. However, the Trans-Pacific Partnership being worked on by 12 Pacific Rim countries, as well as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and Europe, could fall flat if deals are not ratified. Members of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association were enthusiastic when the […] Read moreRight to retaliate on COOL holds
OTTAWA — Canada is maintaining its right to retaliate against the United States if it introduces any new form of country-of-origin labelling. “We need to have the tools to retaliate if we need it. We can keep that authorization indefinitely,” said John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. The United States published a final rule […] Read more
Hog producers urged to check their feed
Alberta hog producers are asked to protect pork export markets by ensuring they do not use ractopamine in feed. Pork from pigs fed ractopamine, a beta agonist used to increase lean meat, is not accepted in some of Canada’s major export markets, although it has been deemed safe by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and […] Read more
Hip disorders rare but often under radar for equine athletes
The horse’s hip is its powerhouse. As one of the largest joints, surrounded by some of the most powerful muscles, the hip is essential to movement. Lameness caused by injury or damage to the hip is rare, especially considering that 95 percent of lameness originates in the hoof. But when it occurs, hip disease can […] Read more
Western Canada praised for keeping PED virus at bay
While new cases have been confirmed in Ontario, expert says excellent biosecurity throughout the industry has kept the West PED-free
Three new cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea were confirmed in Ontario in late February and early March. The virus was confirmed March 1 in a Perth County finisher barn, Feb. 29 in an Essex County farrow-to-finish barn and Feb. 24 in a Chatham-Kent County finisher barn. Two previous cases were confirmed Feb. 9 in Perth […] Read moreNative clover species extend grazing, fix nitrogen
Saskatchewan breeding program examines flowering purple and white prairie clover as a forage crop alternative to alfalfa
Livestock producers are encouraged to take a closer look at two native species of plants that are showing unique forage characteristics and grazing potential on Western Canadian grasslands. “I think purple prairie clover and white prairie clover have a real potential for us,” said Alan Iwaasa of Agriculture Canada in Swift Current, Sask. The grazing […] Read moreCME live cattle end firm, but off 4-1/2-month peak
CHICAGO, March 16 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished moderately higher on Wednesday as the steep climb in wholesale beef values fueled expectations for strong cash prices by Friday, traders said. Futures hit a 4-1/2-month peak but pared gains on profit-taking and positioning ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle-On-Feed […] Read more
Peru lifts trade barriers to U.S. beef
WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) – Peru has agreed to lift its remaining safety barriers to U.S. beef exports, further opening one of the fastest -markets in Latin America to U.S. ranchers, Obama administration officials said on Monday. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the agreement with Lima will remove certification […] Read more
