Livestock Management
RED DEER – Lee Davis raised his cap to reveal a head of grey hair as a symbol of the Canadian cattle rancher. Too old, too tired and too broke summed up his feelings at a BSE rally held in Red Deer March 31. “Who cares anymore? You look around the room and the meetings […] Read more
Livestock Management
Rally held to ignite support for BSE lawsuit
Sask. producer group wants packer reopened
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan wants the labour dispute at XL Foods in Moose Jaw, Sask., resolved and the plant reopened. The organization issued a news release last week after learning that some animals had been slaughtered at the plant so the company can retain its federal inspection status. Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials […] Read more
Questions linger over handling of BSE
RED DEER – Larry Sears added his name as a representative plaintiff to a class action lawsuit out of frustration. He was unhappy with the government over damage that was caused to the beef business after BSE was found in Canada in 2003. The Stavely, Alta., area rancher was chair of the Alberta Cattle Commission […] Read more
Optimism returning, says new cattle president
The new president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association says producers understand the important role government plays to support the industry but are still suspicious of too much government. “I think since 2003 (BSE), there is a clear recognition that the government plays an important role,” northern Alberta rancher Travis Toews said March 29. “But producers […] Read more
Low soil moisture pressures feed supply
Provincial officials are encouraging Alberta’s beef producers to carefully assess their soil moisture situation this year and take steps early to ensure adequate grass supplies. Ralph Wright, Alberta Agriculture’s soil moisture specialist, said soil moisture levels are extremely low in many parts of Alberta. Without significant rainfall this spring, many areas will face drought conditions […] Read more
Pasture management 101
Budget feed reserves Sort cattle. Cull aggressively and make changes to feeding operations to avoid unnecessary waste. Establish a grazing plan Assess grazing resources and calculate needs. When calculating the carrying capacity of pastures, err on the side of caution to avoid long-term damage. Look for other feed sources Hay prices have been rising, but […] Read more
Grocer touts meatless meals
A disgruntled shopper wants to use social networking media to complain to a national grocery chain about its promotion of meatless meals. Laura Bodell of Sherwood Park, Alta., was prompted to take action after reading a short article in Sobeys’ Inspired magazine that promoted meatless meals as a way to save the environment. She wants […] Read more
Bull purchases key to controlling reproductive disorder
Vibriosis is rare in confined cattle herds, but we are seeing it more often in areas where bulls and cows commingle, such as community pastures. It can be a hidden disease that over time increases open rates to 20 to 25 percent instead of the normal five to 10 percent. It is caused by the […] Read more
Quota cut proves timely
Production and sale of Canadian chicken fell close to one percent last year and industry leaders say that is a success story. In the face of the worst recession in almost 70 years, the industry faced declining consumer demand, a shift to lower-priced meats and the potential for plunging producer incomes. Leaders of the national […] Read more
Exports vital to industry expansion
Canada’s beef exporting industry is projecting a 10 percent rise in exports over the next decade with much of the increase going to countries that now block or restrict Canadian beef. It says South Korea and China will account for almost 52,000 tonnes of sales by 2020 although that assumes Canadian negotiators persuade those two […] Read more
