Livestock Management
Limited snowpack this winter combined with low precipitation in previous years has raised the alarm for severe drought conditions on the Prairies this summer. One of the more serious diseases to arise in these challenging weather conditions is anthrax. Caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, anthrax is an ancient and global disease. The earliest references […] Read more
Livestock Management
Detective work solves swine sickness mystery
Maple Leaf official recounts the challenges faced while trying to put a stop to a streptococcus zooepidemicus outbreak
WINNIPEG — When a multiplication barn had a streptococcus zooepidemicus outbreak in March 2019, Maple Leaf staff scrambled to find out what it was and how to treat it. They dealt with it as suggested by worldwide authorities. Believing the gilts were over the illness, workers sent them out to four sow barns. Within a […] Read more
Dairy expansion must first include securing labour, land
Dairy farmers looking to expand must first get their land and people in place. That was a common theme from a cross-country panel of leading dairy farmers at the recent Progressive Dairy Operators triennial conference in Toronto. Gert Schrijver farms in Stettler, Alta., milking about 300 cows on 1,700 acres. He plans to build a […] Read more
U.S. finalizes higher standard for ‘Product of USA’ meat label
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — U.S. president Joe Biden’s administration has finalized a rule requiring meat, poultry and eggs labelled as a U.S. product to come from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the country. The rule, proposed last March, is a victory for U.S. ranchers who argued for years that use of the voluntary label […] Read more
Feeders urged to use cash market
Industry told to figure out how to push more fed cattle into the cash market before governments step in with regulations
REGINA — Cattle feeders need to put more fed animals into the cash market, says Dr. Kee Jim, long-time feeder and veterinarian. He said the number of cattle going into cash over the last 20 years has significantly declined. That is beginning to change in the United States and should happen in Canada to help […] Read more
New methane feed additive pleases producers
Beef and dairy industry officials say the methane-reducing tool recently approved in Canada will drive opportunities
Beef and dairy leaders are praising a new methane reduction tool recently approved for use in Canada. Bovaer is a powdered supplement that cattle feeders and dairy producers can mix with feed. The developers, Switzerland-based dsm-firmenich, claim it can reduce methane emissions in beef cattle by an average of 45 percent and by 30 percent […] Read more
Federal government kicks in $10.6 million for pork research
Glacier FarmMedia – A vaccine for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and antimicrobial alternatives will be among the hog industry research projects supported by recently announced federal cash. “These projects and the knowledge that we’re aiming to achieve through this research will contribute to the bottom line of pork producers and processors and will also build […] Read more
Alfalfa declared the winner in steer preference contest
Researchers put alfalfa, sainfoin, birds-foot trefoil, cicer milkvetch, meadow bromegrass and orchard grass to the test
Which type of pasture plants do steers prefer? Bart Lardner decided to find out. The researcher at the University of Saskatchewan grazed steers on small plots to see how several different forage species performed under grazing conditions. The treatments consisted of different varieties of alfalfa, sainfoin, birds-foot trefoil, cicer milkvetch, meadow bromegrass and orchard grass. […] Read more
Uterine prolapse serious and requires prompt attention
Uterine prolapse is one of the true emergencies in food animal veterinary medicine. This condition is relatively rare. Estimates suggest that approximately two cows in every 1,000 calvings will have a uterine prolapse. However, it is a serious life-threatening condition for the animal and prompt action is required. If the cow is straining badly after […] Read more
Project looks for effective livestock predation solutions
Glacier FarmMedia – The predators haven’t gone away, but the livestock industry now has better ideas on how to handle them. The Livestock Predation Prevention Pilot, Manitoba’s three-year examination of its predator loss problem, is over. Prevention strategies have been tested, reports sent and every resulting bit of advice has been made available in print […] Read more
