Livestock Management
The death of a cow has Saskatchewan farmers Neil and Mary Bartsch searching for answers. The Bartsches, who farm near Warman, Sask., found a two-year-old cow dead in a pasture they rent north of Saskatoon. Mary Bartsch said the cow’s genitals were removed, its teats removed flush with the udder and one ear was gone. […] Read more
Livestock Management
Scavengers likely mutilated cow
United effort saves creek
Co-operation and an inventive spirit were the inspiration for southern Alberta ranchers as they restored a meandering creek that flows through their property west of Claresholm. The Lyndon Creek Conservation Partnership consists of Jack and Merry Vandervalk, Gerald and Patricia Vandervalk, Wayne and Judy Lucas and David and Lisa Baptie, who have a long-term goal […] Read more
Hay prices on Prairies near record
Hay prices usually increase slightly during summer because buyers are anxious to get their hands on what may be a limited resource. Alberta Agriculture beef specialist Ken Ziegler said the price bump tends to settle back down in autumn when it’s evident that overall hay supplies are sufficient. However, 2009 is not a typical year. […] Read more
Feed price may force herd selloff
Given the extensive drought in Alberta this summer and hay selling for five to six cents per pound, a casual observer would likely compare this summer to 2002. The weather was extremely dry that year and feed prices soared. However, there is one significant difference in 2009, said Ken Ziegler, a beef specialist with Alberta […] Read more
Hog exit strategy interests produc ers
Hog farmers want out. According to leaders in the sector, many hog farmers are waiting on only one thing: more details on how the federal transition program designed to mothball barns will work. “It’s probably 20 to one,” said Manitoba Pork Council chair Karl Kynoch about the proportion of farmers calling about the mothballing payment […] Read more
Lipizzaners spend life on tour
With a travel schedule that would make a professional hockey player weep, the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions spend 11 months a year on the road. A one-month vacation at their home base just outside Orlando, Florida, is the only break they get. When they do return, it’s just like the family coming home for Christmas. […] Read more
Sunshine on farmers’ wish list
Farmers are hoping and praying for a couple of weeks of good weather to finish off their crops. For most, that would allow them to harvest a below-par but respectable crop. For others, it would prevent a poor crop becoming a terrible crop. “It would be a disaster right now,” said Sturgis, Sask., farmer Jim […] Read more
National insurance wanted
Canadian cattle producers want a national price insurance program in place as soon as possible. The program would be based on the Alberta model but modified to suit all provinces, said Bob Ivey, chair of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s domestic agriculture committee. Alberta is set to begin its program at the end of August. Ivey […] Read more
Hog herd expectedto continue decline
The Canadian hog herd continues to decline and is likely to shrink further as government programs kick in to get rid of breeding animals. Alberta Pork Producers vice-president Ben Woolley estimates another 150,000 sows will be culled, and producers who decide to liquidate their herds may not return to the business. Statistics Canada’s livestock census […] Read more
Ag market secretariat produces high hopes
Cattle producers have high hopes for Canada’s new Agricultural Market Access Secretariat. “The expectations are quite daunting,” said Fred Gorrell, named director general of AMAS in June. Speaking to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association foreign trade committee last week in Regina, Gorrell said the secretariat will focus on four or five priority markets as it begins […] Read more
