Livestock Management
Hogs slip lower After setting a seven-year low two weeks ago, Chicago hog futures rose last week on rumours that American packers had exported large quantities of pork possibly to Mexico and Russia. Slaughter data showed American producers might be starting to cull their breeding herds. The U. S. Department of Agriculture said sow slaughter […] Read more
Livestock Management
Canada’s WTO challenge of beef ban off to court
More to dugout than digging hole
CAROLINE, Alta. – Fay Pengelly remembers swimming in the farm dugout as a youngster but would not dream of doing it now. Dugouts on her family’s property near Caroline were built decades ago and some have eroded sides, algae growth, weeds and muddy water that is probably full of harmful bacteria. It is time to […] Read more
Farmer fires back at agri-intellectuals
Canada’s complaint about lack of access to the South Korean beef market will soon get its day in court – trade court. The World Trade Organization announced Aug. 31 it is creating a dispute settlement panel to hear Canada’s arguments about why South Korea’s continuing ban of Canadian beef imports because of BSE violates WTO […] Read more
Grain dryers may be busy
Late maturing crops and the prospect of an extended harvest could result in heavy demand for custom grain drying services across the Prairies this fall. Grant McLean, crop specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, said crops across the West are well behind schedule and drying days will be at a premium this fall. In Saskatchewan, just three […] Read more
Researchers learn to make meat with animals
Writing in Strand magazine in 1931 in an essay entitled Fifty Years Hence, Winston Churchill made the following prediction about the culinary future: “We shall escape the absurdity of growing a whole chicken in order to eat the breast or wing, by growing these parts separately under a suitable medium.” While 50 years turned out […] Read more
Calgary opens hands-on facility for vet students
AIRDRIE, Alta. – A group of Alberta landowners continue to question whether the province needs to proceed with an ambitious project to boost electrical power production within the next decade. Edwin Erickson, a member of the Lavesta Area Group, representing about 800 landowners, has opposed the plan since it was proposed in 2006. “They still […] Read more
Ag sector faring well: FCC
LETHBRIDGE – With the exception of the hog sector, the agriculture industry is doing well this year, says the head of western operations for Farm Credit Canada. “The hog industry is in turmoil right across Canada,” Clem Samson said during an FCC meeting in Lethbridge Aug. 26. The crown corporation has become a partner in […] Read more
Dairy show marks 25th
After his first year at the University of Calgary’s veterinary school, Layne Manson can make incisions, stitch them up and properly roll over a sheep in need of treatment. The native of Bonnyville, Alta., helped deliver twin calves earlier this year and learned how to tie proper knots when restraining animals. He is one of […] Read more
What’s better for pregnancy checking: palpation or ultrasound?
Rectal palpation and using ultrasound for pregnancy both have advantages, depending on their intended application. To be accurate, both must be carried out by a skilled veterinarian. Veterinarians have performed rectal examinations for a long time and little has changed in this science. It is a relatively quick, cost effective and safe procedure in the […] Read more
Canada opposes status change
The possibility that the United States could have a different animal health status than Canada might have implications for export markets, said Chenier LaSalle of Canada Beef Export Federation. The U.S. has applied to move from controlled risk for BSE to negligible risk under World Organization for Animal Health standards. “Until now, Canada and the […] Read more
