CHICAGO, Nov 21 (Reuters) – The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in October declined versus last year but not as much as was expected, said analysts. While pricey calves discouraged feedlots from buying them, high-priced slaughter cattle and deteriorating summer pastures drew more livestock into feeding pens than anticipated, they said. The U.S. […] Read more
News
Oct U.S. cattle placements not as slow as expected
Why don’t plants get sunburned?
Much like a five-year-old with red hair, it turns out plants also need sun protection. Researchers at the University of Purdue now understand how plants produce their own sunscreen. Tim Zwier, a chemistry professor at Purdue, determined that crops and other plants use a group of molecules called sinapate esters to block harmful ultraviolet radiation. […] Read more
Alta. rural municipalities want stable funding
Rural councillors don’t like going cap in hand to the Alberta government every year looking for money to repair road, bridges and other infrastructure projects. They say stable funding would solve the problem. “We need to know the money from the provincial or federal governments is going to be consistent so we can make plans,” […] Read more
Reproductive stage affects mineral needs
Nutritional requirements depend on whether the cow is pregnant, recovering from calving or lactating
Mineral deficiencies found in western Canadian cattle could be related to the feed, soil, water or not enough supplements. “I know far too many producers who have learned the hard way from cows not eating enough minerals,” said John McKinnon, beef industry research chair at the University of Saskatchewan. Lameness, milk fever, downer cows, retained […] Read more
Ag Growth eyes new markets
Westeel purchase | Winnipeg company acquires major competitor and famous brand
An iconic brand in the grain storage business, Westeel, is changing hands. Ag Growth International has an agreement to buy Westeel from Vicwest Inc. for $221.5 million in cash. They are both Winnipeg companies. “Westeel provides a complementary product offering to expand our growth platform within North America and around the world,” said Ag Growth […] Read moreAlta. provides funding for rural seniors facilities
Rural Alberta seniors facilities are getting a much-needed financial boost. Alberta premier Jim Prentice announced $160 million of new money over four years to build and renovate rural seniors facilities. “Enabling seniors to stay in their own community in familiar surroundings is a key to their health, and keeping them happy is something we’ll be […] Read more
Animals made from resin provide ideal teaching tool
Better for animals | Creating a replica, including organs, enables veterinary students to practise without causing stress to real animals
An unconventional marriage between science and art has conceived an unusual teaching model for veterinarians. Alister Cribb, dean of the University of Calgary’s veterinary faculty, approached his neighbour, Russ Gray, in 2009 to build an interactive display of the back half of a cow with a calf inside. He wanted to show children at Aggie […] Read more
The seven-year rich
The national voice for Canada’s canola industry knows nothing about a company that signed a $1 billion deal to ship Canadian canola oil to China. Prime minister Stephen Harper and federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz recently returned from a trade mission to China, where they witnessed LeMine Investment Group sign an agreement to ship $1 […] Read more
Increasing wolf numbers worry Manitoba producers
Predation a concern | Cattle producers call for better control
GRUNTHAL, Man. — John Meda went to check his cattle one day and found a shocking sight: “A calf’s bleeding? What the hell?” he thought. The calf’s tail had been torn off; all that remained was a bloody stump. He knew what did it. “It was a wolf,” said Meda, who has farmed in the […] Read moreUS EPA delays release of final 2014 biofuel targets until 2015
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday said it will not finalize the federal 2014 biofuel use targets by the end of the year, delaying a final decision on the mandate until next year. The agency blamed the delay on the “significant” amount of comments it received on its draft […] Read more
