Livestock Management
Texas’s first anthrax case of the year killed 17 cattle July 13. Heavy rain this year followed by dry conditions left state officials wondering when, rather than if, anthrax would appear there. Steve Sturtz of the Tom Green County Extension Office said the area had ideal conditions for an outbreak. “We like it when it […] Read more
Livestock Management
Texas anthrax case sparks producer worries
Unusual Clydesdales turn heads
In a specially designed barn with luxury stalls lit by chandeliers resides a group of 52 black and white Clydesdales. Bob Funk, owner of Express Ranches in Oklahoma, one of the largest spreads in the United States, first spied the rare heavy horses at Canadian Western Agribition in 1998. He had to have some, so […] Read more
New pig antibiotic reduces injections
RED DEER – No-repeat workdays aren’t just for radio stations; they’re also finding their way into hog barns. In the past, producers have had few options when treating respiratory disease in pigs: either add antibiotics to water or feed or perform repeated injections. Now a new triamilide antibiotic is available that gives producers a one-shot […] Read more
Alberta producers urged to pump water to cattle
Hillspring, Alta. – Pumping clean water to livestock could be like having money in the bank. Producers attending a recent pasture school near Hillspring were told that even if water is pumped a short distance from a dugout, cattle tend to visit the trough for a clean drink, which improves their health and weight gain. […] Read more
Proper pasture management can boost profits
LACOMBE, Alta. – Vern Baron knows most beef producers don’t like risk but the grazing expert says they should still be prepared to try new ideas. As a member of the Western Forage/Beef Group, he promotes intensive grazing and thoughtful pasture care as a way to make more money in the cattle business. That means […] Read more
Forage club offers info, support
MEACHAM, Sask.-Forage clubs are filling a void left by the elimination of regional agrologists in Saskatchewan. Tim Korol, who helped found the Meacham Hills Forage Club in the 1990s, said the group provides a valuable exchange of information for its 20 core members. The information is specific to the region, with the club conducting field […] Read more
Best bunch of beef
HIGH RIVER, Alta. – The cattle on display at the fed beef expo are the closest thing to the real deal at the Calgary Stampede. Shown loose in pens of five without washing, clipping or polishing, the commercial steers and heifers look like the millions of cattle seen in pens and pastures throughout Alberta. This […] Read more
Winning makes trip worthwhile
For nearly 20 years the Stewart family has made the cross prairie trip from Russell, Man., to the Calgary Stampede. It has been worth it for Brent and Dale and their 17-year-old daughter, Kelsey, who have stood in the winners’ circle at the Stampede Steer Classic three times. “It’s been good to us. We’ve done […] Read more
Canadian named champion auctioneer
Chance Martin sells cattle three times a week but he also finds time to enter auctioneers’ competitions across North America. “I’ve sold more cattle at contests than some people have sold in their life,” said this year’s international champion at the stampede. He has been to the world auctioneers’ competition six times, the Canadian championships […] Read more
Performance-tested rams hit ring
OLDS, Alta. – Producing good quality lambs is serious business for Eldor and Marie Klause. They come to the Western Super Sire sale at Olds every year to pick a top performing ram to add to their flock of 500 commercial and purebred ewes at Gunn near Barrhead. “Our attitude has always been if you […] Read more
