Livestock Management
Taking advantage of ultrasound technologies and sound genetics produces profits for Wade Shrimpton and his customers. Speaking at the Saskatchewan Beef Symposium in Saskatoon Feb. 7, the owner of Key Lake Ranch said the fastest way to make high performance improvements in his herd is through the bulls. He spends hours poring over bloodlines and […] Read more
Livestock Management
Cattle producer maps out strategy
Beef can work as functional food
VANCOUVER – Producers can make beef a functional food simply by changing what they feed their cattle, says an Agriculture Canada researcher. Priya Mir, who works at the Lethbridge Research Centre, is investigating how to increase conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, in beef through special feeding programs. This fatty acid is thought to provide protection […] Read more
Biofuel future still uncertain
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the biofuel train gains speed, more are wondering about its final destination. No one knows who might win the competition for corn between livestock and ethanol producers. No one knows how more grain and ethanol can be moved on an already stressed transportation system. No one knows how planting decisions might […] Read more
NCBA continues push for voluntary labelling
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The United States’ leading beef producer group continues to support a voluntary rather than mandatory country-of-origin food labelling law. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association passed a resolution at its recent convention in Nashville that calls on the organization to work with Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that a […] Read more
U.S. worries about disease strategy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Beef producers in the United States worry about what would happen if foot-and-mouth disease was ever detected in their country. While speaking at a forum held during the recent National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in Nashville, Wayne Zimmerman of Colorado wondered if such a situation would be handled quickly and effectively. He […] Read more
Rendered remains offer energy source
A recipe of rendered cattle meat and bonemeal can produce almost as much energy as coal without the harmful emissions, says a University of Saskatchewan agricultural engineer. “The biggest bang for the buck” will come from research into how to manage the 25 percent of animal remains that are left over after rendering, Terry Fonstad […] Read more
Feedlots need workers
Experience is less important in a cattle feedlot worker than a willingness to learn new skills, says Ryan Thompson of Border Line Feeders in Ceylon, Sask. As a manager, he looks for workers who are eager to learn, looking for long-term employment and have interests outside of work. “People working there need to be part […] Read more
Anthrax threat looms in Sask.
When the snow goes, the anthrax comes. Livestock producers in Saskatchewan’s central and northeastern regions are being told that if they or their neighbours or their neighbours’ neighbours had anthrax last year, then they better plan to vaccinate against the bacterial infection. Wet soil conditions helped spawn the largest outbreak of anthrax in Canadian history […] Read more
U.S. beef industry urged to improve cattle ID system
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The United States will not regain its former strong export position without a functioning national identification system. That was the message an American cattle producer delivered to a committee meeting at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in Nashville last week. Rick Stott told the committee that the U.S. cannot meet the […] Read more
Feedlot practices hurt marbling
A decline in marbling quality is being linked to feedlot practices such as the increased use of distillers grain. A recent report from the Certified Angus Beef program in the United States attempted to analyze a perceived decline in beef quality in which large price premiums could be lost for meat that does not contain […] Read more
