Livestock Management
REGINA – You can judge a bison through its cover. Gerald Parson of Stratford, Oklahoma, has seen a lot of bison in his career as a buffalo rancher and veterinarian. He has judged cattle and bison at the Denver Stock Show and is known as one of America’s top bison breeders. He moves slowly and […] Read more
Livestock Management
Bison judges not easily buffaloed
Shifting demand difficult to satisfy
Balancing inventory with market demand is a constant challenge for the bison industry. “There are consequences for getting out of balance,” said Bob Dineen, president and founder of Rocky Mountain Natural Meats in Denver, Colorado. The market changes from year to year so it isn’t even a matter of looking at previous sales to determine […] Read more
Bison prices slow to bulk up
REGINA – Bison are bouncing back, just not high. Producers say the recovery reflects the reality of the market and appears to be relatively free of speculators. “We don’t really want to see those prices from the late 1990s and pre-BSE again. They weren’t sustainable and the industry is still paying for the bust,” said […] Read more
Charolais genetics could head Down Under
For first-time visitors to Canada attending the World Charolais Congress it was a chance to study North American style cattle, experience the bite of winter and feel a chinook wind. About 180 international guests representing 18 countries gathered at Edmonton’s Farmfair International for tours held before and after the congress. Deals were sealed and friends […] Read more
Tight show schedule miffs cattle breeders
SASKATOON – Showing cattle, a competitive endeavour for breeders seeking to build a reputation for their stock, is stressful enough. Throw into the mix a tight timeframe for hauling prize animals from one show to the next, and people start to lose their sense of humour. This year’s Saskatoon Fall Fair, held at Prairieland Park […] Read more
Cargill recalls cattle feed as precaution
WINNIPEG – Cargill Ltd. announced Nov. 18 it has recalled feed from about 100 Canadian farms because it may contain trace amounts of an ingredient banned to prevent the spread of BSE. Canadian veterinary officials are trying to determine how many and what kind of cattle ate the feed, and whether the feed could have […] Read more
Pork processor OKs weight gain additive
Paylean is now OK by Maple Leaf Foods. In fact, the hog processor not only says it has abandoned its opposition to the growth-boosting substance, but is encouraging producers to use it. “It’s in the interests of the producer and the processor. Let’s get going,” Michael McCain, head of the meat company, told Manitoba Pork […] Read more
New specified risk rules pile on paperwork
RED DEER – New BSE-prevention rules to handle specified risk materials from slaughter cattle come with extra permits and instructions. Known as the enhanced feed ban, the new regulations go into effect next July to give meat plants time to make changes and find acceptable ways to dispose of SRMs, said Natalie Bragg, a senior […] Read more
Get horses ready for winter
When temperatures dip, parkas are pulled out of storage and drivers switch to winter tires. Farmers and ranchers need winter preparation as much for their horses as themselves. Horses are well adapted to the prairie climate, says professor Sue Ashburner of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. “At this stage of the game, when the […] Read more
Ont. greenhorn wins top Shorthorn bull
EDMONTON – Some cattle producers try all their lives to win a national cattle show. It took Rick Salzsauler two years. “It’s awesome. It’s beyond my wildest dreams,” said a tired looking Salzsauler the day after his two-year-old bull won grand champion at the national Shorthorn show at Farmfair. Two years ago Salzsauler didn’t own […] Read more
