Livestock Management
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) – Argentine president Cristina Fernandez is recommending pork as an alternative to Viagra, saying she spent a satisfying weekend with her husband after eating pork. “I’ve just been told something I didn’t know, that eating pork im-proves your sex life,” she said. “I’d say it’s a lot nicer to eat a […] Read more
Livestock Management
Pork: nature’s Viagra?
Fine cut forage meets cattle producer demands
BRANDON – Cattle producers have been asking for a finer cut in their bale shredders. Haybuster’s new 2655 two-bale processor should give them what they want. “Some people have problems with coarse cut hay bridging in the mix wagons, so that’s a purely mechanical reason for wanting a finer cut,” said Haybuster representative Nick Rempel. […] Read more
Lessons learned from H1N1
BANFF, Alta. – When pigs on a farm near Rocky Mountain House, Alta., were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus last April, it sparked investigations, quarantines and attention from media outlets around the world. It was the world’s first case of H1N1 infection in a hog herd and provided valuable lessons for public officials in how […] Read more
Age verification gets boost in Saskatchewan with funding for office, reps
The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency will use new government funding to develop a formal presence in Saskatchewan. The agency hopes that opening a satellite office in Saskatoon and hiring three field representatives in Yorkton, Swift Current and Saskatoon will beef up age verification and other traceability initiatives in the province. Field reps will work with […] Read more
Horses need substantial forage in diets
RED DEER – Horse owners need to find the best possible quality hay to keep their animals healthy and happy, says a University of Kentucky equine specialist. The diet should include at least 50 percent forage. Alfalfa hay is the number one choice under ideal conditions. “We have been debating about the best hay for […] Read more
Genetic disorders serious problem in horses
RED DEER – Fearsome sounding genetic diseases haunt the Quarter horse industry, disorders such as hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, glycogen branding enzyme deficiency and hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia. The breed appears particularly disease ridden because there are millions of Quarter horses in North America and the breed association funds more genetic research. However, equine veterinarian […] Read more
Manure valuable resource, but it must be properly handled
PICTURE BUTTE, Alta. – Field manure application has received a bad rap in recent years because of odour and pollution complaints, but it remains a valuable building block for soil when properly used. “We really want to look at manure as an extremely valuable resource,” said Ross McKenzie, an Alberta Agriculture agronomy researcher. However, agronomic […] Read more
Song for wild mountain mustangs
LOVELL, Wyo. – When Alberta rancher and songwriter Ian Tyson was researching a new song about the survival of wild horses in North America, he decided to visit the source. His travels took him to the Pryor Mountain wild mustangs, a federally protected herd along the Montana-Wyoming border. About a day’s drive from Tyson’s ranch […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Jan. 28, 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. Fed cattle slightly higher The falling Canadian dollar had less impact than expected and fed cattle bids […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Jan. 28, 2010
U.S. feedlot supply tight The number of cattle in U.S. feedlots Jan. 1 fell to the lowest level in seven years. As well, December placements fell to an 11-year low because of storms, fewer available feeder cattle and high feed costs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the on-feed cattle supply as of Jan. 1 […] Read more
