Livestock Management
RED DEER — Grazing is designed to increase producer profits while also meeting the nutritional needs of livestock. Joshua Dukart of North Dakota factors in the needs of wildlife as well. Dukart uses holistic management to rebuild grass and soil but also keeps an open mind when it comes to altering plans mid season to […] Read more
Livestock Management
Bison mortality study focuses on malignant catarrhal fever
The most recent edition of the Canadian Veterinary Journal contains an observational study of bison mortality on 26 bison herds in Saskatchewan. One of the study’s primary objectives was to describe the risk of malignant catarrhal fever in the province’s bison population. MCF is caused by a viral infection from the ovine herpesvirus-2 virus. It […] Read more
Alert sounded for FMD look-alike
Blisters seen around the mouth, nose and hoofs of pigs can — and should — raise instant reactions from hog producers. The fear is that these blisters indicate foot and mouth disease, with its related health and trade implications, but it might also be symptomatic of the less dangerous Seneca Valley Virus. Dr. Julia Keenliside, […] Read more
New toxins heighten need for feed tests
Feed grain samples were showing lower levels of mycotoxins late last year, but producers should remain vigilant for new toxins. “2015 has definitely not been as bad, but people are more aware and they are looking,” said Dr. Barry Blakley, who heads the University of Saskatchewan’s toxicology laboratory. Ergot continued to show up in feed […] Read more
Canadian Pork Council hires new executive director
John Ross will replace Martin Rice as executive director of the Canadian Pork Council. Ross will start his new job Feb. 29 and work with Rice until the latter’s retirement at the end of April. His name is likely to be familiar to many in the Canadian meat industry. He is chair of the industry-government […] Read more
Farm journals a record of Prairie history
If you want to know from what direction the wind was blowing in Deloraine, Man., in 1895-96, 1922 and 1924, you’re in luck. A set of journals written by William C. White, held in the archives of Manitoba, contains daily entries from those years, and almost every entry begins with a noting of the wind, […] Read more
Nature’s light show
The aurora borealis creates beautiful scenes in the night sky, which those living in Canada are often lucky enough to see. Even so, the natural phenomenon is a mystery to many, and most don’t know that it is caused by space weather, which can also mess with global positioning systems. “(Space weather is) basically a […] Read more
China takes weather into its own hands — and into the skies
Most countries adopt a fatalistic “it’s out of our hands” attitude to-ward the weather. China isn’t one of them. Every year, the country employs tens of thousands of people and spends as much as $100 million to modify the weather. The China Daily reports that the Chinese Meteorological Administration and Weather Modification Offices across the […] Read more
Hog plant carves niche in carcasses
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — A small pork company in Saskatchewan has adopted a determined approach to keep itself relevant in the competitive world of meat processing. Moose Jaw’s Thunder Creek Pork is the only federally inspected processing plant in Saskatchewan. Most hogs come from Saskatchewan farms, but the pork may be shipped to nearby stores […] Read more
Chicken also excluded from COOL repeal
Last week’s repeal of U.S. country-of-origin labelling legislation excluded chicken as well as sheep and lamb. Mike Dungate, executive director of the Chicken Farmers of Canada, said Dec. 22 that chicken’s continued inclusion under COOL is less of an issue because no live chickens are typically shipped to the United States. The National Chicken Council […] Read more
