Livestock Management
EDMONTON – Alberta livestock producers are concerned the provincial government’s new $56 million meat and livestock agency will have too much control over the industry. “We are not comfortable as an organization that is democratically elected, to have this meat agency superimposed on us and their appointment at the whim of the minister,” producer Gordon […] Read more
Livestock Management
Producers worry about control
Emergencies need more than plan
FARGO, N.D. – Emergency preparedness has moved beyond a document labelled Bird Flu Outbreak Plan sitting on an office shelf, says a Manitoba government official. The new model for livestock emergency management is all about relationship building, co-operation and collaboration. “There’s some folks that think once you’ve got it (a plan) on paper, you’re done, […] Read more
Cap likely to remain
TORONTO, Ont. – Canada’s livestock sector has failed to convince federal and provincial agriculture ministers that part of the solution to their cash crisis must be a lifting of the $3 million annual cap on what individual operations can receive from farm programs. At the end of a one-day federal-provincial ministers’ meeting May 30, there […] Read more
Robots handle milking duties
PONOKA, Alta. – A cow at the de Gier dairy farm can be milked at any time of the day or night. Brothers Poul and Hendrik de Gier of Ponoka have installed a robotic milker in a new barn and have another on order for a barn under renovation. Poul de Gier said the cows […] Read more
‘Tough love’ plan to boost livestock
EDMONTON – The Alberta government has given the livestock industry a shot of “tough love” with its announcement of a new livestock and meat strategy, said the spokesperson for Canada’s largest beef packing plant. The Canadian beef industry has not recovered from being shut out of international markets after BSE. Mandatory age verification and a […] Read more
Animal rescue trailer attracts interest
FARGO, N.D. – It’s a typical light story to end the nightly newscast – a video clip of a hog escaped from a transport truck and loose on a freeway in urban North America. But for Shanyn Silinski, watching bumbling city cops trying to corral a pig is not funny footage. “To have tasering, to […] Read more
4-H on Parade largest achievement day
An aspiring drummer and an apprentice welder were the big winners at Calgary’s 4-H on Parade May 30-June 1. More than 800 young people from the Calgary region poured into the city for Canada’s largest achievement day, showing off a year’s work that covers everything from the traditional market steers and lambs to bunnies, photography […] Read more
Clubs look in new directions to attract members
LLOYDMINSTER, Sask. – Cattle and horses rule the 4-H roost but multiple clubs are becoming increasingly popular as the program reaches out to new members. Brothers Donovan and Nicholas Allen of the Senlac, Sask., Multiple Club juggled cowboy poetry, photography and outdoor projects this season. Their achievements, along with a potpourri of others ranging from […] Read more
Pastures off to slow start in Sask.
LASHBURN, Sask. – Pastures got off to a slow start this year forcing many producers to turn out animals later than usual. Cool weather is blamed in most regions, with spring snow setting back growth at Dave Kerr’s farm south of Lashburn. “We’re off to a slow start. It’s been pretty cold here,” he said, […] Read more
SSGA hires new GM
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has a new general manager, after almost a year without a permanent replacement for its previous administrator. Chad MacPherson, who had been working as stewardship co-ordinator for Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards Inc., grew up on a mixed farm near McLean, Sask., and holds a bachelor of science degree. SSGA […] Read more
