Livestock Management
To a pig, heat is about a lot more than just air temperature. Unfortunately, many hog producers don’t realize that. “When it comes to managing the thermal neutral temperature for the pig, we aren’t just talking about air temperature,” said North Carolina State University swine specialist Suzanne Leonard. “We have to think about all the […] Read more
Livestock Management
Challenge dogma to change industry: prof
WINNIPEG — Pig management will be radically different in a few years, but the nature of that difference is up to the creative people who invent it, predicts Iowa State University animal science professor Jason Ross. “I think we’re going to be able to make data-driven decisions on the farm almost instantaneously,” said Ross in […] Read more
Trench composting questioned
Trench composting in coarse soil still needs more research before it can be used for pig disposal, according to Manitoba Agriculture. While the process worked great in fine-textured soil at Winnipeg’s Brady Road Landfill, on-farm trench-composting tests in coarser soil didn’t produce good results. “Traditional static pile composting seemed to be more effective than through […] Read more
Studies show vaccine delivery method makes difference
I’m often asked if there is one vaccine preferred or better than other vaccines. My usual response is that it is difficult to compare vaccines because we rarely have enough good research to prove whether there are significant differences between vaccines. Such studies are difficult and expensive to perform and often we are pleased if […] Read more
Disease prevention requires diligence
Western Canada is dealing with emerging livestock diseases, which emphasizes the need to monitor and to continually focus on biosecurity. Glen Duizer, animal health surveillance veterinarian with Manitoba Agriculture, says emerging diseases require different resources and systems than a regulatory disease response. He listed several diseases that have appeared in the past decade: Salmonella Dublin, […] Read more
Canadian Meat Council decries TFW changes
Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Meat Council says incoming changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program are going to add to the sector’s already significant labour challenges. In a media release the group, which represents federally licensed meat packers and meat processors and suppliers of goods and services to the meat industry, said the move […] Read more
Disease affecting U.S. dairy cows re-identified as bird flu
Glacier FarmMedia – A wild waterfowl-borne disease creating milk production problems in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico dairy herds has been identified as a strain of bird flu, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says. The disease was previously identified as Texas Agalactiae Syndrome. However, genetic sequencing revealed the “mystery illness” as a strain […] Read more
Alta. highlights water conservation efforts
REGINA — The Alberta government has highlighted investments in water research and technology as the province faces its worst drought since 2001. At a March 25 news conference at the University of Alberta, technology and innovation minister Nate Glubish said the upcoming year is going to be dry and the worst drought the province has […] Read more
Dairy farmers urged to be on lookout for U.S. dairy cow disease
Lactating cows at particular risk
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian milk commissions are urging producers to be on the lookout for symptoms of an emerging health concern affecting dairy cattle. U.S. dairy producers are reporting high onset of and high morbidity from Texas Agalactiae Syndrome, with confirmed cases in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico. Lactating cows are considered particularly vulnerable. Clinical […] Read more
Beef-solar relationship to be studied
Orienting solar panels vertically, like fences, is one option that will be explored at a new agrivoltaics research park
CALGARY — An agrivoltaics research park to be built this summer in Alberta is designed to explore how beef producers can maximize profits and improve pastures by using their land for both ranching and solar power generation. Traditional solar projects in the province allow livestock such as sheep to graze under solar panels to control […] Read more
