Livestock Management
BRANDON – Bison no longer seem like the next big thing. There’s little talk about the industry’s potential and little excitement among average producers about getting into the business. That makes sense, considering the bison industry nearly imploded after exports were banned following the discovery of BSE in Canada in 2003 and producers encountered severe […] Read more
Livestock Management
Bison market’s dark days thing of the past: producer
Ottawa praised for extending livestock loan
Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz won praise from livestock industry leaders late last week when he agreed to extend to Sept. 30, 2010, the need for producer repayment of cash advances issued last year to help the industry through a cash flow crisis. Ritz also said emergency cash advances will be available until March 31, with […] Read more
Pork industry promotes Canadian
BANFF, Alta. – Canada does not have a country-of-origin labelling law similar to what the United States has introduced, yet consumer surveys reveal strong loyalty to homegrown products. Pork Marketing Canada has launched a series of print and television advertisements to encourage Canadians to choose more of the domestic product. Program head Roy Kruse said […] Read more
Jersey popularity increasing
As everyone knows, it’s not easy to tout Ford trucks without bashing Chevy, but Janna Rémond does a fine job of walking the diplomatic tightrope when she compares Jersey cattle to Holsteins. “We switched completely over to Jerseys in 2004 …. We found that because we’re a family operation it was easier for our kids […] Read more
Horse sector major issue for care group
RED DEER – The head of an Alberta group dedicated to promoting responsible livestock care says she has spent a “disproportionate” amount of time dealing with horse issues in the past 18 months. Susan Church said Alberta Farm Animal Care’s (AFAC) board of directors has never complained about the time she spends working with horses. […] Read more
Hog farmer wants vote on Ont. pork monopoly
The Ontario hog marketing monopoly isn’t disappearing without a fight. A London-area hog producer is appealing an Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission decision to break the monopoly of Ontario Pork, which markets all Ontario hogs. “The commission erred when it allowed the July 2008 hearing to become focused on producer choice instead of the ability […] Read more
Canadians return to U.S. cattle show
DENVER, Colo. – The road to Denver for many Canadians meant 24 hour drives in sub zero temperatures on icy roads and triple checking veterinary requirements. The extra effort was worth it for many who made the lengthy journey to the National Western Stock Show where class and division winners at the Angus and Hereford […] Read more
Alberta Lowline breeders beat trail back to Denver
DENVER, Colo. – Big Island Lowlines started as a retirement project for Paul Gostaas 10 years ago. Today, the Edmonton farm has one of the largest herds of the small black cattle in North America. Darrell Gostaas, Paul’s son and president of the Canadian Lowline Association, said his family’s herd started with embryos from Australia. […] Read more
Cold cattle need food, shelter
It can be chilling to drive by a pasture on a wintry day and see cattle huddled in the blowing snow. Sometimes they want to be out there, but other times they have no choice. Ian McMillan, co-ordinator of investigative services for the Saskatchewan SPCA, says there is always a spike in reports during the […] Read more
Animal neglect not intentional
When livestock start showing signs of neglect, something else is going on. Susan Church, manager of Alberta Farm Animal Care, (AFAC) says it could be the economy, marital trouble or illness, but producers don’t usually neglect their animals on purpose. “There’s always a reason,” she said. “Is it purely malicious intent? Rarely. In the livestock […] Read more
