Livestock Management
LONDON, U.K. (Reuters) – The world needs genetically modified crops both to increase food yields and minimize the environmental impact of farming, said Britain’s top science academy. The Royal Society said in a report the world faced a “grand challenge” to feed another 2.3 billion people by 2050 and at the same time limit the […] Read more
Livestock Management
British science academy encourages GM crops
Producers vie for SCA positions
ASSINIBOIA, Sask. – The lineup of cattle producers registering at the door sent meeting organizers looking for more chairs. Interest in the first Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association district elections is high, and about 175 people filled a room in Assiniboia Oct. 22 where voting took place for District 3A. The meeting started 30 minutes late to […] Read more
Anaplasmosis strikes another farm in Manitoba
Cattle in southeastern Manitoba have tested positive for anaplasmosis. Dorothy Geale, senior staff veterinarian with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, confirmed that 43 animals on a farm in the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn have contracted the red blood cell disease. “We had our first diagnosis on Oct. 9 but the situation had started on the […] Read more
Hawkeye gets deal to supply 10,000 Charolais to Russia
More than 10,000 Canadian Charolais will be shipped to Russia by 2012. The deal should see a group of breeding females leave early next year, said Garner Deobald, owner of Hawkeye Land and Livestock Ltd. at Hodgeville, Sask. A Russian company, Sevagro Beef Project, is building infrastructure as part of a government supported effort to […] Read more
System keeps cattle on pasture
LEEDALE, Alta. – Iain Aitken walks through his pastures on a cold, snowy October day and lifts bundles of grass that lay like thick swaths. Under those bundles is enough green biomass to sustain his cows for 10 months. In less than 10 years, the Scottish immigrant has turned around 600 acres of overgrazed, neglected […] Read more
Gestation stalls likely on way out
At the end of two hours of debate about banning gestation stalls, two University of Manitoba agriculture students wondered whether much had been accomplished. “It’s pretty much what I already knew,” said Christian Hinrichs, whose family operates a dairy farm at Whitemouth, Man. “I spent a lot of time in Europe and I saw this […] Read more
Guidelines developed for prudent antimicrobial use – Animal Health
Food animal veterinary clinics were recently sent guidelines on prudent use of antimicrobials The guide was published after extensive research and collaboration with veterinary and industry stakeholders. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association developed and distributed the document Veterinarians need to select and prescribe the proper medication for the condition being treated. This is based on […] Read more
Inadequate heifer nutrition delays puberty, breeding
AIRDRIE, Alta. – The development of replacement heifers is a long-term project that does not yield a return until the first calves are sold. Young animals require special care and feeding because they are still growing but are also expected to start reproducing. Proper nutrition influences growth and reproduction, says Airdrie veterinarian Nathan Erickson. “The […] Read more
More atypical scrapie seen
Advanced testing methods are finding more cases of atypical scrapie, a fatal disease found in sheep and goats. So far this year five cases have been found in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. With the exception of Quebec, all were diagnosed as the atypical form in older animals, said Sandra Shearer, a veterinarian with the […] Read more
Sask. offers traceability assistance
Saskatchewan has introduced a rebate program to help the livestock sector voluntarily move forward with traceability. Agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud maintains traceability should be voluntary, but Ottawa and the other provinces have agreed that it be mandatory by 2011. He said the program will help Saskatchewan stakeholders get ready. “They’ve said we’ve got to get […] Read more
