Livestock Management
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Junior cattle events are about more than winning. For the young producers who last month competed in Bonanza, the Canadian Junior Hereford Association’s annual national event, it was also a chance to talk about cattle and catch up with friends who come from across Canada for the 29-year-old event. Held Aug. […] Read more
Livestock Management
Junior handlers show dedication
Ground level study focuses on feet
AGASSIZ, B.C. – The way a cow stands can tell producers a lot about how productive it will be in the milk parlour. Jeff Rushen has been automating the process of lameness detection in dairy cattle. The Agriculture Canada researcher in Agassiz, B.C., said the work will soon be transferred into dairy production practices in […] Read more
Calgary’s vet students eager to hit barns
The 34 new veterinary students at the University of Calgary will barely have time to meet each other before being thrown head first into the life of professional veterinarians working in clinics, zoos and with researchers. Classes for Canada’s fifth veterinary school started Sept. 8, but this group will be sent into the field to […] Read more
Trainer eager to show Saddlebred variety
EDMONTON – Some horses are clunkers and some are family sedans. The Saddlebred is a Cadillac, said Archie Hurst, a Saddlebred trainer and breeder. “It’s a horse that when you ride down the road, people stop and look. It’s the Cadillac of the show world,” said Hurst during a break getting his horses ready for […] Read more
Ranchers told to stand by green records
Robert Sopuck has a simple and strong message for cattle producers when it comes to dealing with people he describes as condominium conservationists. “You want to knock these people back on their heels,” said Sopuck, an environmentalist and advocate for active management of landscape who lives in Sandy Lake, Man., 60 kilometres north of Brandon. […] Read more
Don’t hurt horse’s feelings
EDMONTON – Horses have feelings just like people, a noted horse trainer says. “We’re realizing the horses have a lot of feelings like anger, fear, sadness and grief, the same emotions we do,” said Dave Collins during last week’s Horse Power event at Edmonton’s Northlands. Those emotions can affect a horse’s behaviour, movement or health, […] Read more
Cattle judge sets friendships aside in ring
OLDS, Alta. – In his 25 years as a beef show judge, Dave Sibbald often faces friends and business partners, but he sets those relationships aside when he scans a class. “You judge the cattle,” he said between shows at the Olds Fair, where he assessed Charolais, Shorthorn, Angus and Simmental cattle, as well as […] Read more
Waste material spun into cash
AGASSIZ, B.C. – Recovering energy and fertilizer from livestock has never made more sense or dollars. New research by Agriculture Canada and the University of British Columbia may create income opportunities for producers while reducing the environmental load of livestock operations. Don Mavinic and Victor Lo of UBC have developed systems that cost effectively transform […] Read more
Beef plan strives for higher prices
LETHBRIDGE – A beef promotion project has been designed to give producers an economic boost after five years of trade embargoes, lacklustre markets and shrinking incomes. Canada Gold Beef is promoting a verified beef program in which all participants share in potential profits from the farm to the time the beef is sold. “Anybody who […] Read more
Competition sharpens youths’ marketing skills
BASHAW, Alta. – Cattle producers don’t need piggy banks – they need Moo-Lah Banks. The bovine equivalent of the piggy bank is the brainchild of Kendra Hofstra, who dreamed up the idea as part of the Senior National Young Cattlemen marketing competition at the Canadian Junior All Breeds Heifer Show. Hofstra and 11 other competitors […] Read more
