Livestock Management
DRAKE, Sask. – Gord Schroeder thinks raising sheep with cattle is an excellent strategy for reducing the risks of producing beef. “In the sheep industry, we’re saying don’t get rid of what you’ve got, just add sheep to it. You’re spreading your risk around. Environmentally, there’s all kinds of opportunity for sheep to do things […] Read more
Livestock Management
Balance risks in beef by filling niche for sheep
Manitoba appears keen on slaughter loan
Manitoba is one step closer to a federally inspected cattle slaughterhouse. The federal government has released guidelines for its $50 million Slaughter Improvement Program, which is designed to assist the red meat packing industry and address slaughter capacity gaps in Canada. “The Slaughter Improvement Program, a commitment made in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, is now […] Read more
Pet peeves of a large animal veterinarian
In the veterinarian business, as with any business, 99 percent of the clients are fantastic, but the other one percent have a tendency to be difficult or do things that gnaw at your craw. Here are a few pet peeves of most veterinarians. n Front-end staff, if well trained, are knowledgeable of set protocols, timelines […] Read more
DNA traceability on horizon?
A DNA-supported livestock traceability system might not be that far off. Brian Van Doormaal, general manager of the Canadian Dairy Network, said industry will soon apply for government money to help fund the National Dairy Cattle Genomics Initiative. The dairy industry has already approved its participation in the five-year, $40-million project that will collect DNA […] Read more
Balance risks in beef by filling niche for sheep
DRAKE, Sask. – Gord Schroeder thinks raising sheep with cattle is an excellent strategy for reducing the risks of producing beef. “In the sheep industry, we’re saying don’t get rid of what you’ve got, just add sheep to it. You’re spreading your risk around. Environmentally, there’s all kinds of opportunity for sheep to do things […] Read more
Cows happy with automated barn
GRUNTHAL, Man. – If you had your eyes closed, you might not realize you’re surrounded by 250 cows. You’d hear a lot of other sounds such as robot milkers moving, a scraper crawling along the barn floor, fans whirring and the occasional roar as the feeding system’s belt feeders kick in. And that’s the way […] Read more
Triticale touted for livestock feed
LACOMBE, Alta. – When hay is priced at $100-150 per tonne, using triticale for forage might hold down feed costs this year, says an Alberta Agriculture official. “We have to increase awareness of it to the livestock industry because we have to lower our costs of feeding,” said Bill Chapman of Alberta Agriculture at a […] Read more
Producers revisit packer plan
LLOYDMINSTER – A group of cattle organizations wants the government to back a producer-owned packing plant as a way to salvage the industry. Backing a producer-owned plant that could chase high-value beef markets and boost cattle prices would save governments money over time because the industry would be in better shape, they contend. “It takes […] Read more
Feeding program critical when developing replacement heifers
Developing replacement heifers is an important area of beef reproduction because they determine the feasibility of an operation. Production increases when a high percentage of heifers become pregnant early in their first breeding season. The best program has replacement heifers reaching puberty at least 42 days (two estrous cycles) before the start of breeding. The […] Read more
Dairy welfare code updated
Canada’s dairy farmers don’t want anyone to doubt their commitment to animal welfare. Their national organization, along with the National Farm Animal Care Council, has updated its code of practice for care and handling. The original code had been developed in 1990, said Michael Hall, an Ontario dairy farmer who chaired the development committee, and […] Read more
