Livestock Management
EDMONTON – Pork roasts grown in a Petri dish and grain starch produced in a lab may be the agriculture of the future. Axel Meisen, foresight chair at the technology futures division of Alberta Innovates, formerly the Alberta Research Council, told farmers attending a Wild Rose Agricultural Producers meeting in early January that they soon […] Read more
Livestock Management
From laboratory to plate
Money squeezed from waste?
Large-scale hog farmers have been blamed in recent years for generating excessive pig manure and for the increased levels of phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg and other water bodies. But if Joe Ackerman’s project is successful, hog farmers might be able to change that image by removing excess phosphorus from manure and selling the nutrient at […] 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
Producers take sexy approach to sales
DENVER, Colo. – Names like Heart Throb, Turn On and Nasty Habit might sound like something from the steamy side of the internet. But at one of the world’s largest international livestock shows, they’re being used to promote purebred bulls. That connection to the racier side of humankind was exactly the reaction many producers wanted […] Read more
Alta. bulls on top at major U.S. show
DENVER, Colo. – Canadian Red Angus bulls have been named grand and reserve champions for the first time in the history of Denver’s National Western Stock Show. Howard Schneider of Northline Angus at Ardrossan, Alta., and his bull Red Northline Trueblood took home the grand champion honour Jan. 12. The bull Cowboy Cut, owned by […] Read more
Ways to ensure maximum fertility
Reproduction is the most significant contributor to profit in beef cattle production. If a pregnancy is not established, it decreases the number of calves born and adversely affects economics. Producers can see the fruits of their past year’s management during calving time. What they do during the postpartum period can affect future fertility. The most […] Read more
U.S. faces horse overpopulation dilemma
RED DEER – When the United States stock market crashed in 2008, horse prices fell right behind it. There are still mares and stallions selling for six figures at public auction but the recession created an uneven horse market where a few sell for impressive amounts and average animals may not sell at all. In […] Read more
