Livestock Management
In a recent column, I discussed new research by myself and colleagues at the University of Calgary that identified a deadly tapeworm parasite in wild muskrats. A reader suggested I expand on the human and dog aspect of this emerging disease. Just to briefly recap, the parasite is a tapeworm known as Echinococcus multilocularis. Animals […] Read more
Livestock Management
MPs call defining ‘emergency’ key to new transport rules
Ag committee identifies emergency management and hours of service as main concerns with proposed regulations
Truck drivers can legally exceed their regulated hours if it’s an emergency, but when does animal welfare meet that description? That was among the topics tackled as the House of Commons agriculture committee released its report on challenges facing the livestock transport sector. The report, Striking a Balance: Electronic Logging Device Requirements Impacting Animal Transportation, […] Read more
More farm security measures suggested
A new report from the House of Commons agriculture committee recommends stronger defences when it comes to diseases like avian influenza, BSE, foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. The report, Protecting Against Animal Biosecurity Risks: The State of Canada’s Preparedness, included seven recommendations to combat existing and future disease concerns. The committee’s interest […] Read more
Wool harvest – photo essay
Members of the Granum Colony sheared more than 950 sheep over a day and half in mid-December at the colony’s new barn 10 kilometres east of Claresholm, Alta., and 25 km from the colony. The wool will be shipped to California. One of the benefits of the new location is the Claresholm solar farm, where […] Read more
Forage blends benefit swath grazing
Winter feeding trial studies virtual fencing as well as potential of moving away from using only one crop in swath grazing
A Lakeland College researcher says he wanted to investigate using forage blends in winter swath grazing systems to ease producer hesitancy. Obioha Durunna, who is now in the third year of the study, says he was also prompted by the limited information available on backgrounding weaned calves in such systems. Durunna says producers are reluctant […] Read more
Beef research centre wins ag technology award
Alberta’s Livestock Gentec was formed in 2010 to use genomics to help producers improve profitability and sustainability
CALGARY — An applied research centre using genomics to help beef producers sharpen their competitive edge has been honoured with a Best in Agriculture Sector Award for Alberta at the ASTech Awards. “We’re very proud that our team received that award,” said John Basarab, head of beef cattle operations at Livestock Gentec. “We’re hoping that […] Read more
Sort out nature of eye lesions and diagnosis becomes easy
Occasionally, our herd investigation team gets called out to look at a problem with calves being born with eye problems or appearing to have them shortly after birth. These eye issues can manifest themselves as cataracts, micro-opthalmia (small eyes that haven’t developed fully) or a variety of other eye lesions such as retinal abnormalities or […] Read more
Updated Certified Sustainable Beef Framework released
The program, launched in 2017, came up for its five-year review in 2022
A new and improved Certified Sustainable Beef Framework has been released following its first five-year review announced the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) today. “This update sets us up for continued progress to support beef farmers and supply chain participants to build trust in the sustainability of Canadian beef,” said Kristine Tapley, chair of […] Read more
Cattle sector awaits details on methane plan
Early thinking is that federal incentives to help producers reduce cattle emissions could fit with the industry’s targets
MEDICINE HAT — Canada’s draft policy that would provide financial incentives to livestock producers to reduce methane from cattle aligns with the beef sector’s target to see those emissions reduced by a third by 2030. But how well the federal government’s proposals will merge with the sector’s efforts, which have already resulted in Canadian beef […] Read more
Sheep sector faces turbulent times
Opportunities are plentiful, but the meat sector has struggled and questions have been raised about wool association
MEDICINE HAT — On the face of it, Canadian sheep producers appear to have a lot going for them. Only about 20 percent of the lamb meat demand is being filled domestically and wool is increasingly seen as an environmentally sustainable option for fabrics and clothing. But the failure of North American Lamb Company and […] Read more
