Livestock Management
An orally administered liquid pain reliever for cattle is now available through Canadian veterinarians. Meloxicam Oral Suspension was developed by Solvet, a Calgary-based manufacturer of animal health products. The Canadian Beef Cattle Code of Practice directs cattle producers to provide pain control for castration and dehorning as of Jan. 1. Dr. Merle Olson, vice-president of […] Read more
Livestock Management
Oral pain control ready for cattle
Calving: when to watch, when to help
Cattle producers have a lot of ideas on how best to stimulate a weak calf that doesn’t want to breathe. With calving season just around the corner, here are some of my experiences as to what works and what doesn’t. There are many reasons why calves come out slow and weak, and recognizing when these […] Read more
U.S. hog herd slowly expands as PEDv brought under control
By Theopolis Waters Dec 23 (Reuters) – The U.S. hog herd grew slightly in the September-November quarter versus a year ago, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed on Wednesday, amid increased supplies as the industry recovers from a deadly pig virus hurt that farmer profit, said analysts. “Concern about profitability was a major issue. […] Read more
LIVESTOCK-CME live cattle futures rally 4th straight session
CHICAGO, Dec 23 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures climbed for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, with December up the 3-cents per lb price limit, as the southern Plains braces for a weekend winter storm that drove cash and wholesale beef prices higher, traders said. Spot December settled limit up at 128.600 […] Read more
LIVESTOCK-CME live cattle futures surge with cash prices
CHICAGO, Dec 22 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Tuesday, following stronger-than-expected cash prices as wintry weather takes aim at the southern U.S. Plains, traders said. Spot December ended 2.200 cents per lb higher at 125.600 cents, and February was 1.775 cents higher at 131.800 cents. On Tuesday, a small […] Read more
LIVESTOCK-CME live, feeder cattle futures extends rally
CHICAGO, Dec 21 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Monday ended sharply higher, with the February contract up the expanded 4.5-cents per lb price limit, on more short-covering following Friday’s bullish government cattle report, traders said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cattle-On-Feed report on Friday showed the number of cattle placed into […] Read more
Vandervalk family wins environmental award in Alberta
VXV Farms and the Vandervalk family of southern Alberta are the 2016 environmental stewardship award winners as determined by Alberta Beef Producers. The award was presented Dec. 14 in Calgary and recognizes operations that show leadership in caring for the land while maintaining productivity and profitability. Jack and Merry Vandervalk and their son, Gerald, and […] Read more
Sheep not included in COOL repeal
Canadian sheep remain subject to U.S. country-of-origin labelling, and lamb producers are not happy about it. U.S. Congress repealed COOL for beef, pork Dec. 18 but not sheep and lamb. “I think the American sheep industry has better lobbying power than we do, maybe. I don’t know,” said Canadian Sheep Federation chair Phil Kolodychuk. “I […] Read more
Alberta Beef Producers elects new executive
Alberta Beef Producers elected a new executive at its annual meeting held in Calgary Dec. 7-9. Bob Lowe of Nanton is the new chair and Roland Calliau of Valleyview is vice-chair. Charlie Christie of Trochu is finance chair. In addition, the winner of the environmental stewardship award was VXV Farms and the Vandervalk family located […] Read more
COOL is DONE: U.S. repeals country of origin labelling for cattle and hogs.
Canadian cattle and hog producers are getting their Christmas gifts early this year. The U.S. Congress repealed country-of-origin labelling legislation Dec. 18 as part of a larger omnibus bill, averting a potential trade war in the form of more than $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs about to be imposed by Canada and Mexico. At press […] Read more
