Livestock Management
Regional discussion groups could help sheep producers troubleshoot, generate ideas and share results, says Merrell Dickie of Sunterra Meats. The Alberta-based livestock procurement manager spoke at a Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board seminar in Saskatoon Dec. 1, sharing his observations on how such groups worked in New Zealand, where he lived for 20 years. About a […] Read more
Livestock Management
Sheep talk good idea
Knowledge best way to fight coyotes
Widespread hunting, baiting or poisoning of coyotes to reduce sheep losses could make matters worse, says Mike Gollop of Saskatchewan Environment. The fur and problem wildlife specialist encouraged producers attending a Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board seminar in Saskatoon Dec. 1 to implement a more targeted approach. He said understanding coyote ecology and behaviour can be […] Read more
Sheep producers battle antibiotic resistant parasites
Parasites in sheep are increasingly developing resistance to treatment. To address the problem, the National Sheep Association in Great Britain has developed recommendations to deal with broad spectrum treatments that are showing less efficacy against worms and other parasites. “People just aren’t noticing it and that is because if you got 90 percent efficacy, you […] Read more
Rancher adopts low-cost model
Rancher Steve Kenyon’s main business, as he describes it, is raising children. The rest is just details, he said. “To me it’s really important to realize that’s what my farm business is. Does it matter how I do it? If it’s going to take goats to do that, then that’s what I’m going to do.” […] Read more
Hogs can thrive in group housing: researcher
Good handlers and the right genetics can create successful group housing of sows, says University of Manitoba researcher Laurie Connor. Group housing is getting attention because the practice of confining sows for long periods in gestation stalls has generated negative press and some high profile operators such as Maple Leaf and Smithfield have pledged to […] Read more
Show sees quality cattle, high spirits
REGINA – Ted Serhienko exemplifies good humour at Canadian Western Agribition. With his cigarette hidden between curled fingers, there is always time to share a joke with everyone as he makes his rounds through the Agribition barns. The Saskatoon-based owner of T Bar C Cattle Co. manages purebred sales across Canada. He said the most […] Read more
2007 best ever: buyer
REGINA – After a five year absence from Canadian Western Agribition, Norman Catto decided to leave Argentina for a week to see what was on offer. “This is the best show I’ve seen at Agribition,” he said. Little trade has happened between Canada and Argentina since BSE closed borders. Catto has a purebred consulting business […] Read more
Sask. beef groups may reorganize
Saskatchewan beef producers might soon speak with one voice. Cattle producers in the province rely on a government-run beef industry committee to decide how check-off dollars are spent. The Saskatchewan associations for cattle feeders and stock growers say the industry committee has done a good job of funding research and beef promotion projects. But they […] Read more
Bison prices rebound as border reopens
A day after Neil Kramer’s auctioneering gavel fell on their sale, two Canadian bison became the first in 31/2 years to cross the American border, bound for Oklahoma. Canadian bison prices are rising and with them are expectations that the industry will expand with U.S. sales. The Canadian national bison sale at Canadian Western Agribition […] Read more
Limousin continue winning ways
REGINA – It has become a tradition for Limousin bred steers and heifers to win the Canadian Western Agribition carcass competition. Colin Baber of Balcarres, Sask., had the top steer carcass and reserve went to Delbert Warren of Ogema, Sask. Andy Rock and Stan Skeels of Rimbey, Alta., had the best heifer carcass and the […] Read more
