Livestock Management
Mountain snow packs are natural reservoirs, holding back winter precipitation and releasing it over summer when water demand is high. However, the uncertainty of climate change has researchers questioning how reliable those stores may be in the future. John Pomeroy of the University of Saskatchewan said spring snow could be replaced by more rain that […] Read more
Livestock Management
Scientists try to pin down prairie water supply
Feed chickens what, when?
RED DEER – Today’s chicken farmers shouldn’t rely on the same techniques their parents did. “These birds come into production sooner than ever before and this has implications for management to get nutrition to the birds at the right time,” said Rob Renema of the Poultry Research Centre at the University of Alberta. The average […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Feb. 25, 2010
This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Bad winter weather in the United States is disrupting cattle weight gain, pushing cash and futures prices […] Read more
Green party critic wants Canadians to eat less meat
The Green party has appointed a Montreal candidate and self-described “social entrepreneur” as its critic on animal issues, splitting animal concerns from other forms of agriculture as a policy area. “The complexity of the animal issue makes it necessary to split it off from other agriculture,” Sameer Muldeen said in an interview. “It is a […] Read more
Farm takes second straight King Canola yield title
A Saskatchewan farm is on a winning streak after being crowned canola king for the second year in a row. Third-generation farmers Don, Lynden and Sheldon Krywy of Krywy Farms near Danbury, Sask., won Hudye Soil Services’ third annual King of Canola Challenge with yields of 78.19 bushels per acre on a quarter section of […] Read more
Ewes happy when naked
LESLIEVILLE, Alta. – A naked ewe is a happy ewe, which could be why the ewes at the Turuk farm don’t kick up more of a fuss when the sheep shearer comes knocking. Harvesting wool is a byproduct for lamb producers Rod and Jacquie Turuk, and they are happy if the money they receive for […] Read more
Hog population continues to slide
Canadian hog numbers continue to fall with no herd rebuilding in sight as fewer sows farrow during the first half of this year. The Statistics Canada Jan. 1 livestock census reported hog numbers are at their lowest levels in 12 years as producers respond to poor markets by downsizing their herds. Canadian hog producers had […] Read more
No end in sight for cattle decline
The Canadian cattle herd, at its lowest level in 15 years, will likely continue shrinking if new opportunities are not found, say some beef producers. The Statistics Canada Jan. 1 inventory reported 13 million head, down 1.3 percent from last year. The industry has the potential to rebound in the domestic and export market with […] Read more
Lackluster bulls are costly
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Cattle producers spend a lot of money on bulls and should be sure they are getting quality for that investment. A breeding soundness exam is key, several speakers said at a recent bull selection workshop. John McKinnon, beef industry research chair at the University of Saskatchewan, said the exam, including a […] Read more
Good year-round nutrition helps bulls get job done
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Bulls need attention even after they have finished their job in the breeding pasture. John McKinnon, beef industry research chair at the University of Saskatchewan, told a recent bull selection workshop in Moose Jaw that producers sometimes pull bulls from the pasture and then forget about them. “Don’t ignore the bull […] Read more
