Livestock Management
Cow comfort is king in the battle against lameness. That’s the opinion of Mark Gerber, Zinpro dairy technical sales specialist and master trimmer. “If that cow doesn’t have a comfortable bed 12 hours a day, we’re going to have problems,” Gerber said. “We really have to focus on cow comfort. Are our stalls set right? […] Read more
Livestock Management
Frozen tails major health issue when weather turns cold
This last cold snap has tested everything, including the power grid and the ability of watering bowls and anything with water in it to not freeze up. It has also tested the resiliency of our cattle, especially newborn calves. They’re usually fine, as long as they have adequate bedding and potentially an area to be […] Read more
Feds put enteric methane under the microscope
Enteric methane will be the federal government’s next big target that agricultural producers are expected to aim for. It’s the methane cattle produce when they digest food and is released mainly through respiration. Agriculture Canada made two big announcements recently that brought methane to the forefront of its climate change policy. In December, at the […] Read more
Beef checkoff set to increase in Sask. next year
Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association says it must prepare for lower revenues once sales fall off following a red hot run
REGINA — The Saskatchewan beef checkoff is set to rise 75 percent in 2025 from $2 to $3.50 per head. Producers attending the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association annual general meeting voted in favour of the hike as of April 1, 2025, although some worried more producers would request refunds because of all the escalating costs they […] Read more
Producers urged to use forage rainfall insurance in Sask.
Program insures pastures when precipitation is 80 percent of normal during drought years, but few ranchers participate
There are a lot of misconceptions about the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program, an official with the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. said recently. She attributes this to the program being around for decades and changing over time. “Some people who were participating in the program 25 years ago and have given up on it because they […] Read more
JBS listing worries U.S. senators
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — The New York share listing of Brazilian meat company JBS SA would expose investors to risk, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission should closely scrutinize the company’s criminal and environmental track record, a bipartisan group of senators has written in a letter to the agency. JBS, the world’s largest meat […] Read more
Methane emissions additive approved in Canada
Market authorization for livestock product comes after CFIA approves the product's main ingredient
A feed ingredient designed to reduce methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle has received market approval in Canada. Bovaer neutralizes methane in the rumen. When microbes in the rumen break down feed, hydrogen and carbon dioxide are released. These two gases are combined in the presence of an enyzme. Bovaer works by suppressing the […] Read more
Alta. plans water sharing agreements amidst drought scare
MEDICINE HAT — The Alberta government is taking unprecedented steps as the situation unfolding on Alberta rivers and the drought conditions that stretch from Hay River to Milk River reverberate across the province. Provincial environment minister Rebecca Schultz issued a media release today announcing the launch of the largest effort in the province’s history to […] Read more
Sask. livestock drought program extended
REGINA — Governments have expanded and extended the Canada-Saskatchewan Feed Program available to the province’s livestock producers. Ten rural municipalities have been added to the area eligible for the initial $150 per head payment, and the application deadline has been extended to March 15. “We recognize the areas significantly impacted by drought this past fall […] Read more
Falling pork demand slashes Chinese hog herd
SASKATOON — China’s hog herd will likely be shrinking in 2024, but not to the extent that it should, says an analyst. “China increased its pork output in 2023 to a near-record level,” according to the Dim Sums blog. “But prices plummeted, indicating the market didn’t want that much pork.” China produced 57.94 million tonnes […] Read more
