Livestock Management
Weaned calves have a lot of changes to deal with around the time of weaning. They may be transported to an auction and then mixed with other sources of cattle into truckloads to go to a feedyard. On top of that, they are expected to adapt to a new ration and are often vaccinated and […] Read more
Livestock Management
Biogas seedstock trailer rapidly loads, unloads
Company says its award-winning tanker can move manure to a digester and return digestate to a farm more efficiently
LANGHAM, Sask. — A key piece of technology important to the success of biogas digesters in Europe is now available in Canada. Advance Tank Production Ltd. has built a rapid loading and unloading tanker that makes moving manure quicker and more efficient. The tank was made by the Saskatchewan company, a division of Advance Engineering […] Read more
Lactanet to update benchmark lifetime performance index
Glacier FarmMedia – The emphasis given to production and health characteristics will change in a proposed new lifetime performance index for Canadian dairy cows, with new weighting for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing “milkability.” Brian Van Doormaal is chief services officer for Lactanet, the genetic testing and data management organization leading the process. He […] Read more
Industry asked for input on sheep code updates
Updated code will outline standards for production of market lambs, breeding stock, milk and wool for the next 10 years
Glacier FarmMedia – The National Farm Animal Care Council has finished picking producers’ brains on the incoming sheep code update. The council initiated an update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep last year, although work didn’t get underway until April. Last month, the NFACC and Canadian Sheep Federation announced […] Read more
Farm tries virtual fencing
Glacier FarmMedia – Virtual fencing is being studied in a pilot project on John and Deanne Chuiko’s CJ Ranching operation near St. Walburg, Sask. “Up in St. Walburg, they’ve been having really good luck,” said Andre Bonneau, a range management extension specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture. Related story: Sask. hosts virtual fence pilot project The system […] Read more
Trace minerals need precision
Feeding the wrong mineral can compromise cattle immunity and take a bite from the next calf crop. The more attention producers pay to mineral sources, management and supplementation, the healthier their herds can be, says an industry expert. Laurentia van Rensburg, global head of commercial nutrition with Alltech, was at the Manitoba Beef and Forage […] Read more
Farm groups analyze greenwashing rules
REGINA — Farm organizations say they are considering submissions to the federal consultation on greenwashing. Public consultations are underway until Sept. 27, following passage of new provisions in the Competition Act in June derived through Bill C-59. Those provisions tackle deceptive marketing practices by those who claim their products are green or environmentally friendly but […] Read more
Carcass disposal raises concerns amid avian flu’s spread
American health experts worry that the methods used to dispose of culled animals will further spread the disease
REUTERS — The spread of avian flu among poultry and dairy farms has heightened health experts’ concerns that the process of killing and disposing of birds infected with the virus may pose a risk to humans and livestock. Recent instances of farms dumping carcasses in landfills and using methods to kill chickens that put workers […] Read moreNeglect trial looms
REGINA — A Saskatchewan man from the Craik area is to appear in Moose Jaw Provincial Court Aug. 12 on charges of animal neglect. Tom Miller was charged in September 2023 after about 50 head were seized from his farm earlier that year. The cattle were subsequently returned to him after he paid the costs […] Read more
Beef sector learned feed lessons during drought
Sask. livestock specialist says it’s critical for producers to know what they have when feed supplies and quality are lower
LANGHAM, Sask. — Prairie beef farmers were forced to find new feed sources, learn new processes and make difficult decisions in managing their feed inventories in the past few years. They struggled through three intensive years of drought — in many cases after experiencing several dry years. Rain arrived this year. “Early spring rains created […] Read more
