Another 93 pig producers have thrown in the towel, at least temporarily, on the Canadian pork industry. Preliminary results of the fourth and final tender in the Hog Farm Transition Program (HFTP) were released last week by the Canadian Pork Council. The results show that 93 hog producers are eligible to receive a total of […] Read more
Livestock Management
More hog producers bow out
Federal government defends meat inspection practices
The federal government continues to fend off critics’ allegations that because meat plants that process for the American market have more inspector “presence” than domestic-dedicated plants, Canadian consumers are at risk. Since last November, the United States Department of Agriculture has insisted that an inspector be on the premises for every 12-hour shift if the […] Read more
EU feed shortage caused by GM rule
The European feed industry insists that trade disruptions will continue as long as the European Union maintains its strict zero-tolerance policy for imports of unapproved genetically modified crops. Klaus-Dieter Schumacher, head of economics with the Hamburg-based grain trading company Toepfer International, told Reuters News Service last week that a solution to European trade disruptions is […] Read more
Red in fashion as dairy barns embrace colour
Red and white Holsteins were once as welcome as the illegitimate son showing up at the family reunion. Now they are trendy. “They were once considered a blight on your herd,” said Doug Blair, a partner in Rocky Mountain Holsteins, where red cattle have been selected as part of the farm’s elite cow program. “They […] Read more
Group plans event to showcase horse sector
Buoyed by a survey showing a strong horse population, the Saskatchewan Horse Federation wants to showcase its industry. The federation began planning about 18 months ago for an event that will feature all aspects of the industry to those who already participate and those who don’t. It will include all breeds and all disciplines, said […] Read more
Angus-Simmental champion at Regina show
Robert Pineo of Weyburn, Sask., won his second consecutive grand champion title at Canadian Western Agribition’s spring steer and heifer show March 12-14 in Regina. His steer, an Angus-Simmental cross named Silver, was selected by judge Mike Howe from among the winners of 10 splits in the steer class. Many of the split winners were […] Read more
Manure recycling system benefits land, farmer
BENTLEY, Alta. – With 18 million gallons of manure to handle each year, Will Kingma was looking for innovative technology. Enter Calgary’s Livestock Water Recycling, an award winning system that breaks down manure to its lowest common denominator. “As soon as I saw it, I was pretty impressed with it,” Kingma said. The system received […] Read more
Choose synchronization program, then follow protocols – Animal Health
“A common mistake is changing products but not changing the dosage.” We have come a long way from the synchronization programs that involved one shot of prostaglandins, observation and breeding according to heat. Prostaglandins are still a useful tool in combination with other drugs and intravaginal devices containing progesterone. Many producers will have seen the […] Read more
Elk: no longer a fledgling industry
KITSCOTY, Alta. – Donna and Frank McAllister were issued game farm licence number 15 in 1985. Since the eastern Alberta ranchers were one of the first farmers into the elk business 25 years ago, they’ve experienced the heady peaks and weathered the disappointing lows. Despite the roller coaster ride, the McAllister family believes there is […] Read more
Focus on meat sales rewarding, but hard work
PONOKA, Alta. – For Tina and Mark Stewart, the secret to turning profits in the elk business lies in the meat. Three years ago, the central Alberta elk farmers decided to concentrate on growing their meat business and forget about elk velvet antler sales. From their farm shop, the couple sells elk, bison and Longhorn […] Read more