Livestock ManagementProducers are required to have a written plan outlining when and why
Hog producers must have a plan for when and how to euthanize pigs when necessary. Dr. Craig Wilkinson, director of animal care in the agriculture faculty at the University of Alberta, said the processes involved in making a decision to euthanize, and then documenting it, are among the most challenging aspects for producers. He discussed […] Read more
Livestock Management
Hog euthanasia plan needed
CFIA says more samples needed to ensure control
Stefanie Czub calls research in the United States on testing live animals for BSE interesting. But the Canadian Food Inspection Agency researcher also reminds producers that the current tests aren’t broken. “The problem we have right now with the surveillance is we need to get more animals into the labs for testing,” said Czub. International […] Read more
U.S. officials preparing for an end to COOL
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some leading U.S. lawmakers from both political parties sound like they’re ready to accept the end of country-of-origin labelling (COOL). The World Trade Organization is considering a U.S. appeal of its previous ruling that found COOL was discriminatory to Canadian and Mexican livestock. A decision is expected May 18. “We’ll deal with […] Read more
U.S. cattle feeders feel price pinch
Canadian counterparts are benefitting from the low dollar, high prices and good export demand
North American cattle prices have been at a record highs for the last four quarters, but the party may soon be over if Canadian market trends follow what’s happening in the United States. Those expensive feeder cattle placed in U.S. feedlots last fall are being sold at huge losses. Based on the cash market without […] Read moreDespite U.S. efforts, bird flu thought to spread between farms
CHICAGO (Reuters) — Poultry veterinarians in Minnesota believe an outbreak of avian flu has spread between farms, indicating the implementation of a U.S. strategy to contain the deadly bird disease failed in at least some cases. Wild birds are thought to be carriers of the flu virus, which can be tracked onto poultry farms by […] Read more
Understanding nuances of branded beef programs
With all the terms in the beef industry such as organic, natural, hormone free, sustainable, producers are bound to be confused, even those trying to raise cattle to fit into these programs. Most branded or niche programs are trying to differentiate themselves from the traditional ways of producing beef. If you are interested, get the […] Read more
Improved beef prices take CME live cattle higher
By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO, May 5 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Tuesday, helped by rising wholesale beef values, traders said. June ended 0.725 cent per lb. higher at 151.450 cents per pound, and August was up 0.775 cent at 149.900 cents. Tuesday morning’s wholesale Choice beef price climbed $1.33 […] Read more
U.S. approves $330M for bird flu outbreak in poultry
CHICAGO (Reuters) — The U.S. government will tap an additional US$330 million in emergency funds to cover farmer claims related to the fast spreading bird flu outbreak and other efforts to contain the disease, U.S. Agriculture Department sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The money comes after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requested that the federal […] Read more
Live cattle futures rebound with beef prices, hogs up
CHICAGO, May 4 (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle closed higher on Monday, shrugging off Friday’s weakness, helped by short-covering following the turnaround in wholesale beef prices, traders said. Monday morning’s choice wholesale beef price rose $1.70 per hundredweight (cwt) from Friday to $256.34 per cwt. Select cuts climbed $1.94 to $245.16, the U.S. […] Read more
China lifts ban on Canadian beef
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 1 (Reuters) – China has lifted its ban on Canadian beef, which it imposed in February after Canada’s first discovery of mad cow disease since 2011, news website iPolitics said on Friday. The website cited Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz saying that shipments had resumed. A spokesman for Ritz could not be […] Read more
