Livestock Management
Canadian pork producers and processors are attempting to raise the fortunes of a sagging industry. Pork Marketing Canada was launched Sept. 26 as a partnership between producers, packers, processors, retailers and food service businesses to encourage Canadians to try pork again, said Roy Kruze, new manager of the organization based in Calgary. With hog prices […] Read more
Livestock Management
Pork tries new promotion
Animal vaccines offer human food safety feature
A vaccine to control the spread of E. coli bacteria from cattle to people is now on the market. It is designed as a vaccine for food safety instead of one meant to improve animal health, said Lorne Babiuk of the University of Alberta. This latest vaccine reduces the amount of E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria […] Read more
Introducing medicines takes time
Getting new and improved medications on the market for animals and people is a slow process, made even slower when biotechnology is involved. It is a case of the science moving ahead of the regulations. “Many of these approaches do not have a regulatory framework to handle the approvals,” said Tim McAlister of Agriculture Canada. […] Read more
New feed additive improves weight, profits – Animal Health
Elanco’s Optaflexx, newly released for use in feedlots, is a feed additive backed up by extensive data that shows it increases carcass weight and yield and improves feed efficiency. The label says it can be provided in the last 28 to 42 days of the feeding period. The active ingredient is ractopamine hydrochloride, the same […] Read more
Wheat DDG good for beef cattle
Wheat-based dried distillers grain can be used effectively in backgrounding and finishing of beef cattle, according to a recent study of prairie cattle. Dried distillers grain is a growing feed source in the United States due to the sprouting of ethanol plants across the American Midwest. But most feeding research is related to corn DDG […] Read more
Feds OK beef funding
The federal government has renewed funding to promote Canadian beef exports to Asia and Mexico. The $1.5 million announcement from agriculture minister Gerry Ritz Sept. 21 was confirmation of existing money that the Canada Beef Export Federation uses for promotions such as trade shows, food fairs and seminars, said Kee Jim, vice-president of the federation’s […] Read more
Take advantage of BSE lesson: CFIA
Canada has learned hard lessons after living with BSE and its trade repercussions, says the country’s chief veterinary officer. “Full recovery obviously depends on how well we assimilate and apply the lessons learned from the last four years,” Brian Evans of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency told the Canada Beef Export Federation’s annual meeting held […] Read more
BRD main feedlot enemy
Bovine respiratory disease is a complex syndrome accounting for up to 75 percent of the illnesses seen in a feedlot. Research trials completed earlier this year reclassified the bacteria responsible for shipping fever that costs the beef industry millions in prevention, treatment, decline in animal productivity and deaths. “About 45 to 55 percent of all […] Read more
Livestock centre to examine costs of green technology
There’s lots of chatter about reducing phosphorus emissions, about moving to open housing for sows, and about making hog production more sustainable. But for farmers, any changes in production methods need to be carefully studied before taking the plunge. That’s what University of Manitoba researchers hope they can achieve with new equipment for the National […] Read more
Johne’s link with Crohn’s unproven
A possible connection between Johne’s disease in cattle and Crohn’s disease in humans remains unproven. Johne’s disease is caused by the bacteria mycobacterium paratuberculosis (MAP) that affects the intestines of cattle, sheep and goats. The animals cannot absorb nutrients properly, develop diarrhea and slowly waste away. Finding a connection between the bacterium in animals and […] Read more
